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    LANDMARK COLLECTION OF DESIGN AND ART AT SOTHEBY’S NEW YORK

    Friday, February 27th, 2026

    An Important Ensemble of Fifteen Mirrors by Claude Lalanne, from the Salon de Musique of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé’s Apartment, Paris 1974-1985 ($10-15 million)

    A landmark collection of design and modern and contemporary art anchored next April by the most valuable design sale in Sotheby’s history is due in New York in April and May. The selection from the
    Collection of Jean & Terry de Gunzburg, offering around 135 works with a combined estimate of $67–99 million will be led by Design Masters on April 22 estimated in the region of $30–44 million.

    The collection brings together iconic works by Claude and François-Xavier Lalanne, Jean Royère, Alberto
    Giacometti, Jean-Michel Frank, Alexandre Noll, André Groult, Eugène Printz, Paul Dupré-Lafon, Pierre
    Chareau, Marc du Plantier, Jean Dunand, Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann, Armand-Albert Rateau and
    others. Artworks by Mark Rothko, Robert Ryman, Agnes Martin, Alexander Calder, Pablo Picasso, and Paul Klee introduce parallel investigations into abstraction and the expressive potential of line and color.

    This collection reflects the vision of two titans of their respective fields. Terry de Gunzburg is widely regarded as one of the most influential creative figures in modern beauty, having spent fifteen years at Yves Saint Laurent Beauté, including a number of years as Creative Director, where she translated the couturier’s artistic vision into groundbreaking cosmetics and created the iconic Touche Éclat concealer—one of the most enduring innovations in the industry. After working in close collaboration with leading photographers including Helmut Newton and Guy Bourdin, shaping the visual language of fashion imagery, she went on to found her own brand, By Terry, in 1998.

    Jean de Gunzburg, a molecular and cell biologist of international distinction, pursued a career at the forefront of scientific research, trained at the Pasteur and Whitehead Institutes, then holding a senior role at INSERM and the Institut Curie, where his work advanced understanding in molecular biology and oncology, before applying his expertise to the biotechnology sector.

    A view of the New York apartment with art by Rothko and a bust by Picasso. Photograph by Annie Schlecter. UPDATE: THE ROTHKO SOLD FOR $16.5 million. THE PICASSO FOR $5.6 million.

    UPGRADE YOUR DINING STYLE AT SALES IN DUBLIN AND WATERFORD

    Saturday, February 21st, 2026

    Mucha portrait with Sarah Bernhardt at Adams. UPDATE: THIS MADE 750 AT HAMMER

    Memo to the slow food movement. Nothing complements fine dining so much as silver and crystal. The At Home sale by Adam’s in Dublin and R.J. Keighery’s biggest ever single day auction in Waterford offers bags of both. Both auctions are on Tuesday February 24. Pride of place at Adams is a 24 place Sheffield silver thread pattern canteen from around 1947. It weighs over 446 try ounces in total, excluding the stainless steel blades and sits in its own walnut lowboy chest on cabriole legs.  The estimate is €10,000-€15,000.

    There is an extensive selection of 150 lots of silver at Adam’s, over half from a single Irish vendor, along with antique furniture, mirrors, porcelain and art. A lithograph poster by Alphonse Mucha with Sarah Bernhardt playing Photina in La Samaritaine by Edmond Rostand is among a number of collectible in a sale with more than 500 lots. 

    At Keigherys a Waterford Crystal Dublin Castle chandelier (€2,500-€3,500) and an Arts and Crafts silver porringer (€1,200-€1,800) are among the leading lots.  More than 750 lots will come under the hammer in an auction that offers jewellery, watches, period furniture, Oriental rugs, mirrors and two large pitch pine refectory tables.  Both auctions are now on view and the catalogues are online.

    An Arts and Crafts silver porringer with green glass liner at  Keighery’s. UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    BOMBE MARQUETRY BUREAU AT WOODWARDS

    Monday, February 2nd, 2026

    A Dublin made bombe marquetry bureau at Woodwards. UPDATE: THIS MADE €1,600 AT HAMMER

    One of the more distinctive lots of furniture at Woodwards auction in Cork on February 7 is a bombe marquetry bureau.  The word bombe in furniture describes a curved front and or sides and this bureau was made in Dublin around 1870 by PJ Walsh & Sons.  Woodwards estimate it at €2,000-€2,500.

    The sale, with contents from a Cork convent and residences in Rochestown and Bishopstown, offers antique furniture including a Georgian walnut chest on chest and a Georgian longcase clock by Houghtons of Handsworth each estimated at €600-€1,000. A Victorian library or serving table (€400-€600), a William IV teapoy (€600-€1,000), a crossbanded rosewood card table (€400-€600), an Art Deco conservatory table (€600-€1,000) and a Victorian three tier dumb waiter (€400-€600) feature in a selection that includes art, glassware, a cast iron garden bench and a large portrait of a lady carrying a mask.  The catalogue is online.

    A large portrait of a lady with mask at Woodwards. Therein lies a story. UPDATE: THIS MADE €140 AT HAMMER

    LOTS AND LOTS TO INTEREST COLLECTORS AT FONSIE MEALY SALE

    Saturday, January 31st, 2026

    Irish Georgian mahogany serving table, possibly Cork. UPDATE: THIS MADE €360 AT HAMMER

    With everything from a 1963 Morris Minor and a 19th century decorated hand painted Sicilian cart to a 19th century inlaid boulle credenza and a Irish Georgian mahogany serving table possibly made in Cork Fonsie Mealy’s Making Room sale in Castlecomer on February 4 and 5 has lots to interest collectors of every hue.

    More than 840 lots of antique furniture, paintings, decorative arts and collectibles will come under the hammer.  Estimates are reasonable and all lots are to be sold.  

    There will be Cork interest in a retro wooden mantel clock presented to solicitor John Rearden in September 1950.  A  small plaque on the Edwardian mahogany clock records that it was presented by the Cork Employers Federation Ltd. “In token of their appreciation of his 42 years service as Secretary”.  The lot, complete with a photograph of the presentation, is estimated at €180-€220. An inlaid wall clock by Hilsers of the Grand Parade has an estimate of €120-€180.

    Given that it is reckoned that you could travel around central London in a horse drawn carriage in the old days more quickly than by fast car nowadays the contrasting options of a 19th century pony trap (€800-€1,200) and the four cylinder Morris Minor (€3,000-€4,000) are of interest.  The car was owned by the Odlum family of Portarlington. The Sicilian cart, with spoked and iron clad wheels, has an estimate of €400-€600. 

    Tables, chairs, chests, Oriental screens, display cabinets, paintings, rugs and a converted 18th century spinet, an early 20th century carved wooden hobby horse, a Cork Mansion House service plate, a pair of Dresden bowls and three pieces of Copeland to be sold as one lot and all sorts collectibles vie for attention in an auction where the offerings are comprehensive.  Ebony string inlay marks an Irish Georgian serving table as a possible Cork piece. The estimate is a mere €400-€500. The catalogue is online and the sale is on view in Castlecomer on February 3.

    A pair of Dresden floral bowls, a Copeland dish and two matching plates. UPDATE: THIS LOT MADE €140 AT HAMMER

    REASONABLE ESTIMATES AT MULLEN’S OF LAUREL PARK

    Saturday, January 31st, 2026

     A 19th century inlaid foldover card table UPDATE: THIS MADE €300 AT HAMMER

    The auction by Mullen’s of Laurel Park, Bray on February 1 kicks off a busy week of sales in Ireland.  Estimates for furniture are reasonable and there is no shortage of attractive antique pieces like a 19th century walnut and kingwood foldover card table (€400-€600), a continental display cabinet (€500-€700), a Georgian mahogany chest on chest (€500-€800) and a vintage Beidermeier style kingwood and walnut pedestal desk (€400-€600).

    The most expensively estimated lot, from a total of 633, is a Georgian mahogany bureau bookcase with an architectural pediment and mirrored doors (€1,500-€2,000).    There is value in pieces like an early carved oak court cupboard (€300-€400), an embossed leather five fold screen (€200-€300), a set of ten dining chairs (€500-€800) and a nest of quartetto tables (€300-€400). An Irish four piece silver tea set, made in Dublin in 1973, is estimated at €800-€1,200).

    The auction is on view from 10 am to 4 pm today and tomorrow.  The catalogue is online and the sale kicks of at 6 pm.

    A 1973 Irish silver tea service UPDATE: THE CLOSING BID WAS €1,950

    VIEWING UNDERWAY IN CASTLECOME FOR FONSIE MEALY SALE

    Thursday, January 29th, 2026

    A pair of 19th century Japanese censers. UPDATE: THESE MADE €150 at hammer

    Viewing gets underway in Castlecomer today for Fonsie Mealy’s Making Room sale which will take place over two days on February 4 and 5. There are 633 lots in total including this pair of 19th century bronze Japanese censers of elephant form with pagodas. They are each 13 inches in height and the estimate is €250-€350, The catalogue is online.

    LINLEY AND KNUTTEL CHESS TABLE AND SET AT ADAM’S

    Wednesday, January 28th, 2026
    Graham Knuttel and David Linley with their collaborative project. UPDATE: THIS MADE €40,000 at hammer

    One of Graham Knuttel’s most striking creations is a chess set made in collaboration with the furniture designer and manufacturer David Linley. The limited edition (of 12) square table with marquetry chessboard top designed by Linley and silver and bronze chess pieces created by Knuttel is lot 5 at the Graham Knuttel II sale at Adam’s in Dublin on February 10. The four square table is supported by a tapered column on a walnut base, with a marquetry chessboard. The white chess pieces are made of solid silver, the black pieces are made of bronze. The estimate is €50,000-€80,000. It is the most expensively estimated lot in a sale of mostly paintings with some sculptures with estimates from €300 up. The catalogue is online

    A Chinese Chippendale carved gilt mirror

    Monday, January 26th, 2026

    Chinese Chippendale Mirror  UPDATE: THIS MADE 650 AT HAMMER

    The estimate on this Chinese Chippendale carved wood and gilt mirror surmounted by an eagle is €1,200-€2,200. It comes up as lot 15 at Gormley’s auction of contents from St. Martin’s, Trim, Co. Meath on January 27 at 5 pm. Around 480 lots will come under the hammer. St. Martin’s is the house where actor Mel Gibson stayed while Braveheart was being filmed in Ireland. On offer is the unique collection of Meath publican, hotelier and businessman Gerry Brady, who hosted the cast and crew. On offer is a 60 year collection of furniture, art, porcelain, glass and pub memorabilia. The catalogue is online.

    SOTHEBY’S PROJECTS CONSOLIDATED SALES OF $7 BILLION IN 2025

    Friday, December 19th, 2025

    Gustav Klimt – Blumenwiese (Blooming Meadow) sold for $86.9 million in November

    Sotheby’s announced projected consolidated sales of $7.0 billion for 2025, a 17% increase on 2024. Auction sales rose 26% year-over-year to $5.7 billion, with sales accelerating significantly in the second half of the year, up 59% versus the second half of 2024. Private sales reached $1.2 billion, down slightly from the prior year. Both the Global Fine Art and Luxury categories posted strong gains, with Global Fine Art sales increasing 15% to $4.3 billion and Luxury sales up 22% to $2.7 billion.

    The company sold the most valuable collection of the year for the sixth time in the last seven years – the Leonard A. Lauder Collection – and sold seven of the year’s top ten auction works globally. The company inaugurated its new global headquarters at the Breuer with six white-glove (100% sold) sales totaling $1.17 billion, including the highest total for Modern art sold in one week at Sotheby’s ($843 million), the highest value work of art ever sold at Sotheby’s (Gustav Klimt’s Bildnis Elisabeth Lederer (Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer) for $236.4 million) and the largest Contemporary Day sale ever.

    Sotheby’s executed its most valuable single-owner sale ever staged by Sotheby’s in London and in Europe with Pauline Karpidas: The London Collection realising a combined total of $137 million.

    CHRISTIE’S PROJECTS $6.2 BILLION GLOBAL SALES IN 2025

    Wednesday, December 17th, 2025

    Arnout Tholinx, Inspector (circa 1656) made £3.1 million in December, a new world record for a Rembrandt print.

    With projected global sales of $6.2 billion in 2025 Christie’s is ending the year on a high note. Auction sales accounted for $4.7 billion (up 8%), private sales for $1.5 billion according to figures released today by Christie’s. No less than 17 works sold privately for more that $15 million and the top three works sold by Christie’s this year were sold privately.

    “The energy has returned to the saleroom, online, and across the market. We’ve seen renewed confidence worldwide, reflected in these outstanding results. Our selling performance has remained consistently strong throughout the year: a solid first half followed by an even more competitive second half, delivering exceptional, market-leading outcomes for our clients” said Bonnie Brennan, Christie’s ceo.

    The Americas amounted for 41% of sales, EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) 36% and Asia Pacific for 23%.