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THE fine and decorative arts sale at Mealy’s, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny on May 29 and May 30 features antique furniture, silver, jewellery, porcelain, art, glass and a variety of collectible items among nearly 1,200 lots.  Here is a small selection, the catalogue is on-line (click on any image to enlarge):  UPDATE: The sale was 70% sold and brought in 310,000 on the hammer.  There were 800 registered bidders.

First day cover Irish horse racing stamps (March 12, 1996) with views and coloured prints (400-600). UPDATE: THIS MADE 600 AT HAMMER.

An oak longcase clock, 19th century, the circular painted dial signed Seale of Tipperary (500-700). UPDATE: THIS MADE 550.

A George IV horse drawn carriage-Victoria, built c.1916 (1,500-2,500). UPDATE: THIS MADE 3,400 AT HAMMER.

A walnut card table by David Linley, signed and dated 1993 (1,000-1,500). UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD.

A Judaica Kiddush Cup, Dublin 1906 by West and Son (800-1,200). UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD.

A pair of Irish silver sauce boats W.H. Townsend Dublin c. 1752 (1,500-2,000). UPDATE: THIS LOT SOLD FOR 2,000 AT HAMMER.

The two day sale at Sheppards in Durrow, Co. Laois on May 1 and 2 offers something for everyone among 1320 lots, with more than 600 on offer on each day. There is everything from a rare Irish George III snuff horn to a Chippendale revolving pyramid bookstand on tripod.  There will be historic interest in a miniature portrait of Dublin born Rev. William Bruce (1757 – 1841) who became president of the Belfast Reading Society.  An opponent of the United Irishmen he formed a Dublin Chamber of Commerce with Napper Tandy and others in 1782. It has been argued that this was the first national political movement which was ‘non-gentry, urban, part-Catholic, part-Dissenter’. Other lots include an Italian School crucifixion attributed to the circle of Pompeo Batoni (1708-1777).  The catalogue is on-line. Here is a small selection:

18th century Chippendale library table c1760 with revolving tapered pyramid top (5,000-8,000). Click to enlarge. UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

Oval miniature portrait of Rev. William Bruce (800-1,200). Click to enlarge. UPDATE: THIS MADE 1,650

18th century gold mounted Irish horn snuff box. (800-1,200). Click to enlarge. UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD.

Circle of Pompeo Batoni 1708-1777, The Crucifixion (3,000-5,000). (Click on image to enlarge). UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD.

A gilt-bronze-mounted amaranth, tulipwood, bois satiné, parquetry and oak, Goût Grec Secrétaire à Abbatant, stamped Joseph Twice, Louis XVI, circa 1770. (Click on image to enlarge). UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR £385,250.

Neo-classical and Empire furniture and a collection of 18th century scagliola will be a feature of a sale at Sotheby’s  in London on May 3.  The auction of property from the London homes of Prince and Princess Henry de La Tour d’Auvergne Lauraguais also comprises Old Master paintings, silver, objets de vertu, and drawings and books from the library of designer and architect Emilio Terry, a member of the 1930’s Parisian avant-garde.  Renowned for his magnificent library at Château de Rochecotte, the sale presents part of Emilio Terry’s collection of architectural books and livres d’artistes.

The furniture highlight is a magnificent gilt-bronze mounted amaranth and tulip wood secrétaire by Joseph, circa 1770, which, with its very strong neo-classical outline, represents the pinnacle of Le Goût Grec style.  There is an identical secrétaire at the Getty Museum in Malibu.  It is estimated at £150,000-300,000.

One of a pair of Italian Scagliola Panels by Enrico Hugford within carved giltwood and ebonised frames, mid 18th-Century, (£20,000-30,000). Click on image to enlarge. UPDATE: THIS LOT SOLD FOR £91,250.

Sotheby’s say the sale will present he greatest collection of 18th century scagliola ever to come to market. Developed in 17th century Tuscany as an alternative to the costly marble inlays of pietra dura, scagliola is an extraordinarily complex technique, often used to produce decorative effects resembling inlays in marble and semi-precious stones.  Princess Anne de La Tour d’Auvergne Lauraguais commented: “It was my father, Prince Henry, who inspired me to study the art of scagliola”.  In turn he had been inspired by his uncle, Emilio Terry.  “In my father’s opinion, scagliola had a refinement of colour, texture and sensuality softened as if dimmed by a veil of fog, not like pietre dure which could be bright and almost screaming with colour. Scagliola is a man-made stone, not meant to be used outside, but to live with…. I followed his advice and am indebted to him for giving me a life-long love for the art of scagliola.”

Highlights from Emilio Terry’s library include a near complete set of the first Paris edition, 1800-1807, of Giovanni Battista and Francesco Piranesi’s works, (29 works in 27 volumes) estimated at £150,000-£240,000. Giovanni Battista Piranesi’s prints of Rome contributed considerably to the growth of the Neo-classical movement in art and architecture.

UPDATE:  THE sale brought in £4,372,178, well above the pre-sale estimate of £1.73 – 2.62.