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    ANTIQUE ARCHITECTURAL SALE AT HUNTINGTON CASTLE

    Saturday, November 16th, 2013

    A mid 18th century Kilkenny marble fireplace from Castlemorres, Co. Kilkenny is a highlight at Mealy’s architectural sale at Huntington Castle, Co. Carlow on November 18. The auction includes a private collection of carved Georgian stonework, period stone doorways, Irish and other marble mantlepices, salvage items, garden statuary and an early stone entrance.  Most  of the 500 lots will be sold without reserve.  Here is a small selection, the catalogue is online.

    UPDATE:  More than 90 per cent of the lots on offer sold and the auction realised 150,000 at hammer.

    The c1820 Castle McGarrett entrance.

    The c1820 Castle McGarrett entrance.  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    The Castlemorres fireplace in situ.

    The Castlemorres fireplace in situ.  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD BUT IS UNDER OFFER BY PRIVATE TREATY

    A large Georgian Portland Stone pediment.

    A large Georgian Portland Stone pediment.  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 380

    A Georgian cut granite scroll corbel.

    A Georgian cut granite scroll corbel. UPDATE: IT TURNED OUT TO BE ONE OF A PAIR AND THE TWO SOLD FOR 500.

    VICTORIA BECKHAM’S WEDDING TIARA AT BONHAMS

    Friday, November 15th, 2013
    The tiara worn by Victoria Beckham at her wedding.

    The tiara worn by Victoria Beckham at her wedding. UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    Irish jewellery and metalwork designer Slim Barrett.

    Irish jewellery and metalwork designer Slim Barrett.

    The tiara worn by Victoria Adams (aka Posh Spice) at her marriage to David Beckham – from Irish jewellery designer Slim Barrett – comes up at Bonhams in London on December 5.  Barrett is credited with the revival of the tiara and his work is in the permanent collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

    The gold and diamond crown tiara worn by Victoria Beckham was exhibited in the 100 Tiaras exhbition at the V and A and in the Diamond Divas exhibition at the Diamond Museum in Antwerp.  It is crafted with 18 carat latticed yellow gold, set with brilliant cut diamonds and suspended diamond drops.  Bonhams estimate it at £18,000-25,000.

    OUT OF THE ORDINARY AT CHRISTIE’S, SOUTH KENSINGTON

    Monday, August 19th, 2013
    Cygan the robot at Christie's.

    Cygan the robot at Christie’s.

    clarkeThe Out of the Ordinary sale at Christie’s in South Kensington, London on September 5 lives up to its name.  The 155 lots on offer span eras from the prehistoric natural world to science fiction. Among them is Cygan, an eight foot high robot made in 1957.  At that time it was one of the most sophisticated robots in the world, with an ability to accept spoken commands and respond to light rays. It is estimated at £8,000-12,000.  Adult Females Attack Without Provocation by the late photographer Bob Carlos Clarke is estimated at £7,000-9,000.

    An extended exhibition to preview the auction is currently running at Christie’s in South Kensington. (Click on either image to enlarge it).

    KINROSS HOUSE TAKES RESTORATION AWARD

    Friday, August 9th, 2013
    Kinross House exterior.

    Kinross House exterior.

    Built in 1685 Kinross House, Scotland’s first neo-classical Palladian mansion, has taken the 2013 Restoration Award from Sotheby’s and the Historic Houses Association.  When designed to entertain guests and welcome visitors the house transformed a landscape previously scattered with defensive castles, fortified towers and structures designed to keep people out. When acquired by Donald Fothergill in 2011 it was nearly beyond repair.

    Using traditional products and craftsmanship where possible, and drawing inspiration from it’s history, the house and gardens have been returned to their former glory by a team of specialist architects, builders and historical experts. The roof was replaced, along with every single wire and pipe in the 55 room mansion. In line with architect Sir William Bruce’s vision for the house 350 years ago, the original seventeenth century garden designs have also been reinstalled – restoring the long lost historic views, geometries and horticultural plans which were so integral to Bruce’s neo-classical design.  As well as functioning as a contemporary home the house is now open to the public for the first time. (Click on any image to enlarge it).

    The grand salon before restoration.

    The grand salon before restoration.

    The reception after restoration.

    The reception after restoration.

    The grand salon after restoration.

    The grand salon after restoration.

    The dining room before restoration.

    The dining room before restoration.

    The dining room after restoration.

    The dining room after restoration.

    CORK POTTERS AT DUBLIN’S GALLERY ZOZIMUS

    Wednesday, August 7th, 2013

    Ceramic artists from the Society of Cork Potters are exhibiting at Gallery Zozimus, Francis St., Dublin until August 31.  Those taking part are Sinead Fagan, Kate Standen, Deirdre de Courcey, Etain Hickey, Jim Turner, Kira O’Brien, Sarah Roberts, Clare Green, Martha Cashman, David Seeger, Cillian Gibbons and Adrian Wistreich.  Here is a small selection (click on any image to enlarge it):

    Sara Roberts.

    Sara Roberts.

    Sara Roberts.

    Sara Roberts.

    Kathleen Standen.

    Kathleen Standen.

    Kira O'Brien.

    Kira O’Brien.

    Deirdre de Courcey.

    Deirdre de Courcey.

    EILEEN GRAY – FROM PARIS TO DUBLIN

    Friday, August 2nd, 2013
    Eileen Gray.

    Eileen Gray.

    THE Eileen Gray retrospective from the Centre Pompidou in Paris is moving to Dublin next October.  It will be at the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) from October 12 to January 19, 2014.  The exhibition features drawing, lacquering, interior decorating, architecture and photography. It includes lacquer work, several of her carpet designs, samples from her Paris shop Jean Désert and key items of furniture from her work on the apartment of Madame Mathieu Levy and Gray’s own home, Tempe à Pailla.

    Significant focus is given to her landmark piece of modernist architecture the French villa E-1027, built in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin in 1929, in close collaboration with Romanian architect Jean Badovici. The exhibition includes examples of furniture for E-1027, including the tubular steel designs with which Gray’s name has become synonymous.

    Eileen Gray (1879-1976) was born near Enniscorthy, Co Wexford and spent most of her childhood between Ireland and London. After World War I, Gray moved to Paris. She died in France at the age of 98.

    (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for February 20, 2013).

     

    BONHAMS CHINESE SPECIALIST TO VISIT DUBLIN

    Friday, May 31st, 2013

     

    This blue and white "joined lotus" bottle vase made £679,650 at Bonhams.  (Click on image to enlarge).

    This blue and white “joined lotus” bottle vase made £679,650 at Bonhams. (Click on image to enlarge).

    Bonhams specialist in Chinese works of art, Olivia Hamilton, will be in Ireland on June 11 and 12 for appraisals. Exceptional prices achieved so far this year include a rare blue and white garlic headed joined lotus bottle Qianlong vase, which sold for £679,650. Sales at Bonhams during Asian Art Week in London in May totalled over £12.7 million.  Bonhams is now inviting entries for the next Chinese sale in November, again timed to coincide with the next Asian Art Week.  The sale will be held in the newly renovated Bond St. salesroom, which is due to open in the autumn.

    Bonhams maintains a presence in Ireland at Molesworth St. in Dublin.  Anyone interested in meeting Olivia Hamilton is advised to contact ireland@bonhams.com or via the Dublin office on 01 602 0990.

    ELIZABETH TAYLOR’S FIRST WEDDING DRESS AT CHRISTIE’S

    Friday, May 24th, 2013
    Elizabeth Taylor’s first wedding dress, designed by Helen Rose, comes up at Christie’s

    Elizabeth Taylor's 1950 wedding dress designed by Helen Rose at Christie's © Christie’s Images Limited 2013

    Elizabeth Taylor’s 1950 wedding dress designed by Helen Rose at Christie’s © Christie’s Images Limited 2013  UPDATE: IT MADE £121,875

    sale of Pop Culture in South Kensington on June 26.  It was worn for Taylor’s wedding to Conrad “Nicky” Hilton Jr. in 1950.  Taylor, then 18, was already a veteran actress and celebrated star.  The wedding was attended by 700 guests with stars including Greer Garson, Gene Kelly, Ginger Rogers, Fred Astaire, Esther Williams and Van Johnson.

    The list included co-stars Spencer Tracy and Joan Bennett from Father of the Bride (1950) which MGM scheduled for release weeks after the wedding.  The dress is estimated at £30,000-50,000. A gift from MGM it was designed by their legendary costume designer.

    With its 25 yards of shell white sating embellished with bugle beads and seed pearls, trailed by a 15 yard satin train, it was typical of the type of elegant design for which Helen Rose was known.   Elizabeth Taylor’s appreciation of this dress far outlived the marriage. Photographs of it have appeared all over the world, from newspapers and tabloids to LIFE magazine.

    The status of the celebrated film star and humanitarian as a style icon continues to be legendary.  When the auctioneer’s gavel fell on the last lot of the complete Elizabeth Taylor collection at Christie’s in 2012 the grand total for the collection amounted to a staggering $183,483,694 dollars or £117,249,761 sterling or  141,036,143 euro. Every one of 1,817 lots of her fine art, jewelry, fashion, decorative arts and memorabilia was sold, often high above the estimate.

    JEWELLERY AND WATCHES AT JAMES ADAM

    Monday, May 13th, 2013

    THE auction of fine jewellery and watches at James Adam in Dublin on May 22 comprises 225 lots with everything from solitaire diamond rings to pendants, brooches, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, dress pins and watches to tempt collectors.   Here is a small selection. The catalogue is on-line.

    A 3.2 carat diamond single stone ring is estimated at 15,000-20,000.  (Click on image to enlarge).

    A 3.2 carat diamond single stone ring is estimated at 15,000-20,000. (Click on image to enlarge).  UPDATE: THIS MADE 16,000.

    A lady's 18 carat gold and diamond Tank Americaine by Cartier (8,000-10,000).  (Click on image to enlarge).

    A lady’s 18 carat gold and diamond Tank Americaine by Cartier (8,000-10,000). (Click on image to enlarge). UPDATE: THIS MADE 8,000

    A pair of Art Deco diamond earrings is estimated at 400-600.  (Click to enlarge).

    A pair of Art Deco diamond earrings is estimated at 400-600. (Click to enlarge).  UPDATE: THESE MADE 400

    A 19th century diamond bracelet (4,000-6,000).  (Click on image to enlarge).

    A 19th century diamond bracelet (4,000-6,000). (Click on image to enlarge).  UPDATE: THIS MADE 4,000

    a 4.95 carat diamond ring is estimated at 25,000-35,000.  (Click on image to enlarge).

    a 4.95 carat diamond ring is estimated at 25,000-35,000. (Click on image to enlarge). UPDATE: THIS MADE 25,000

    A multi-coloured gem set bracelet is estimated at 500-800.

    A multi-coloured gem set bracelet is estimated at 500-800.  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD.

    BEATLES GUITAR ON DISPLAY AT NEWBRIDGE MUSEUM

    Sunday, April 14th, 2013

    This Vox guitar was played by both John Lennon and George Harrison.  UPDATE: IT SOLD FOR $408,000

    A guitar played by John Lennon and George Harrison, is to be exhibited at the Newbridge Silverware Museum of Style Icons in County Kildare from April 16 until May 8.  The Beatles’ guitar is being exhibited in Ireland prior to being sold by Julien’s Auctions in New York on May 18.  The Vox guitar, which was custom built by Mike Bennett and Dickey Denney, was gifted to “Magic Alex” Mardas by John Lennon in 1967.  It is estimated at $200,000-300,000.

    The museum in Newbridge has acquired the 1963 coat designed by Hollywood designer Edith Head and worn by actress Tippi Hedren to the premier of The Birds.  Ms Hedren wore the coat at the premieres in Cannes and London. The coat was picked up  last weekend at the Hollywood Legends auction at Julien’s Auctions Beverly Hills gallery.  The museum displays articles associated with stars including Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly, Bette Davis,  Gloria Swanson, Barbara Streisand, Julie Andrews, Vivien Leigh, Elizabeth Taylor, Jean Simmons, Sarah Jessica Parker and Barbara Stanwyck.