PAIR OF TURQUOISE ‘SWEET ALHAMBRA’ EARSTUDS by VAN CLEEF & ARPELS. UPDATE: THESE MADE 2,600 AT HAMMER
Jewellery auctions are for everyone, not just the super rich. This pair of Van Cleef & Arpels turquoise Sweet Alhambra earstuds come up as lot 5 at the Fine Jewellery and Watches sale by James Adam in Dublin on September 10 with an estimate of just €700-€900. A number of lots in this sale have estimtes of under €1,000. The most expensively estimated piece is a brilliant cut diamond pendant at €40,000-€50,000.
The first major US exhibition of the work of Father Browne opens today at the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art at Notre Dame University in Indiana, formerly the Snite Museum. The exhibition Through the Lens of Fr. Francis Browne SJ: The Photographic Adventures of an Irish Priest will run until December 1. His work documents Ireland’s involvement in some of the most memorable events of his era.
In April 1912, Browne received a gift of a ticket for the maiden voyage of the RMS Titanic. He took his camera along on the journey from Southampton, England, to Cherbourg, France, then to Cobh, County Cork. Browne debarked in Ireland before the Titanic sailed to disaster in the North Atlantic. Afterwards, his photographs of the liner, her passengers, and crew appeared in newspapers and magazines worldwide. After his ordination in 1915, Browne became a chaplain in the Irish Guards. He worked in France and Flanders for the entirety of World War I, and was allowed to carry his camera with him. Often on the front lines, ministering to the wounded and the dead, he was wounded five times. After the war, the Church sent Browne to Australia to recuperate from the effects of poison gas. He photographed his travels to the other side of the world and back to Ireland. In 1925 he became Superior of Saint Francis Xavier Church in Dublin. Over the balance of his career, he traveled extensively in Ireland and England to preach at Jesuit gatherings, missions, and retreats. He also pursued his hobby of observing the rapidly changing life across Ireland.
Sotheby’s Maison is the new Asia flagship of the world renowned auction house in the heart of Hong Kong. The two-storey 24,000 square foot space designed by Rotterdam-based architecture studio MVRDV presents a dual concept: the ground floor houses a dramatic state-of-the-art space designed for immersive experiences and moments of profound contemplation, where museum-grade exhibitions and performances will be staged, alongside Sotheby’s signature auction exhibitions spread throughout the year. The first floor features Sotheby’s concept store, a curated retail experience exploring an array of cross-category art, luxury and collectibles spanning 80 million years of history and offered for instant purchase.
The inaugural ground floor exhibition showcases a diverse curation of exceptional Buddhist sculptures spanning ancient Gandhara to the Ming court, through the turbulent era of the Northern and Southern dynasties, as well as the two Song periods. The exhibition offers a comprehensive view of the development of Buddhist art and its profound impact on the lives of millions of believers over two millennia. On the same floor two masterworks on loan from the Long Museum bring together Gerhard Richter’s Eisberg and an exceptionally rare Ru ware brushwasher made circa 1100 in China.
Sotheby’s kicks off the season in September with The Hong Kong Sales, followed closely by The Luxury Sales and Asian Art in November.
Bodhi: Masterpieces of Monumental Buddhist Art Photo credit: Stefan Ruiz
This White 2-135 Field Boss Tractor made a hammer price of 27,000 at H J Pugh’s sale in Cashel on July 31. It was the top lot in an auction of 452 lots which included the Phil Breen private collection of vintage and classic tractors, engines, signs, cast iron seats, motor cycles and other collectibles. White produced tractors, combines, outdoor equipment like lawn tractors, corn planters and tillage equipment.
Confidential notes on IRA activities in the period from 1941-47 are included Purcell Auctioneers sale of the Library of the late Dr. Garret FitzGerald (1926-2011) and another private library in Birr on June 26. The proceeds from the auction of the library of the former Taoiseach will be donated to Focus Ireland, the homeless and housing charity. A total of 656 lots will come under the hammer and the catalogue is online.
Confidential IRA notes were prepared in the office of the Minister for Justice. This copy No. 26 was issued to Colonel Dan Bryan, the renowned Military Intelligence officer. It contains detailed information mostly unavailable elsewhere on activities of the IRA in Ireland and Britain during the Second World War, Stephen Hayes’ kidnapping, government executions, and other incidents plus biographies of those involved. According to one researcher the documentation relied on intelligence from the Special Branch. Nevertheless they are an exhaustive record of the years following the establishment of the state. Relatively few copies of these handbooks were produced and they were not given to every cabinet minister. Six copies of the ‘Notes on events 1931-1941’ were distributed, while ‘Notes on IRA activities’ had also a very limited circulation. This copy is estimated at 750-1,200. UPDATE: THIS MADE 440 AT HAMMER
This 19th century band stand originally from the St. Louis Convent in Co. Monaghan made 5,000 at hammer
A rare 19th century bandstand from the St. Louis Convent in Co. Monaghan made a hammer price of €5,000 on day of Victor Mee’s two day summer garden sale today. It comes complete with cast iron Corinthian columns, timber frame and zinc roof. The guttering, not in the photograph, is included. A good quality wrought iron French greenhouse in the Victorian style made 6,200. A pair of bronze statues of foals and a bronze of a bellowing stag each made 4,000 and a decorated moulded sandstone fountain made €3,900. A set of entrance gates with cast iron gates posts made 3,200 and a pair of 19th century cast recumbent lions made 2,950.
Princess Diana’s elegance and a Royal Collection – the largest curated collection of Princess Diana’s items since her historic 1997 auction – will come up at Julien’s Auctions in Los Angeles on June 27. Before that sale highlights will be on view at the Museum of Style Icons and Newbridge, Co. Kildare from June 11 – 27. Fifteen spectacular lots from this dazzling collection will be showcased at an exclusive private exhibition at The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel in New York–the collection’s only North American preview–before the auction. A breathtaking constellation of Princess Diana’s highly glamorous gowns, dresses, suits, shoes, and accessories used in her most photographed appearances and most iconic style moments will be featured at her favourite hotel in New York. Diana was often photographed here and became part of the hotel’s storied history in the now legendary Carlyle elevator ride shared by Princess Diana, Michael Jackson and Steve Jobs when she sang “Beat It.”
On offer are Diana’s most iconic fashion statements such as a Murray Arbeid midnight blue strapless tulle Diamante Star gown with a fitted bodice worn twice in 1986, at the Phantom of the Opera premiere, at a dinner at Claridge’s for King Constantine of Greece and photographed by Lord Snowdon wearing the gown in 1997 for her charity auction ($200,000-$400,000); Diana’s off-the-shoulder Spanish flamenco-style magenta silk and lace evening dress designed by Victor Edelstein worn in London and in Hamburg in 1987 ($200,000-$400,000); ensembles designed by Diana’s favourite designer Catherine Walker including a pink floral shirt dress designed by Walker for her clothing label The Chelsea Design Company ($100,000-$200,000), a Victorian revival evening gown not worn in public ($100,000-$200,000), and Walker’s two-piece yellow and navy skirt suit Diana was photographed wearing in 1989 in Hong Kong during a visit to Tamar, a British Forces shore base and when Diana gave a speech and awarded the Gopaul family the award for Family of the Year in London in 1990 ($30,000-$50,000).
This 202 carat Yellow Rose diamond sold for CHF6,095,000 /US$6,710,595, the second highest price ever paid for a yellow stone above 200cts at Christie’s.
The Magnificent Jewels auction at Christie’s in Geneva today totalled CHF49,242,200 / US$54,215,662, with deep bidding from a full saleroom, on the phones and online. Led by the Yellow Rose diamond of 202 carats the auction was 97% sold by lot and 98% sold by value. Max Fawcett, Head of Jewels Europe commented: “There is nothing better as an auctioneer than a full and engaged sale room, and to achieve such strong results – 97% by lot and 140% of the low estimate – is remarkable. The market for coloured gemstones and signed jewellery is on fire and I could not think of a better way to start the 2024 season. We now look forward to Hong Kong, New York, Paris and London.”
The Allnatt, a fancy vivid yellow diamond of 101.29 carats at Sotheby’s, Geneva. UPDATE: THIS WAS NOT SOLD
Kashmir sapphires, Burmese rubies, Colombian emeralds and lots and lots of diamonds – what’s not to like? Traditionally this is the month for sales which bring a global audience of very rich buyers to Geneva for eye watering jewels with all sorts of exotic provenance and stories histories.
The collections of modern and historic jewellery at sales like these are fascinating. Some lots make millions. But passion for fine jewellery is not the exclusive preserve of the super rich. There will be plenty of pickings for the rest of us at sales on May 14 at both James Adam in Dublin and Matthews in Kells and O’Reilly’s in Dublin on May 15 with no shortage of choices across all price levels.
An exceptional pigeon’s blood ruby and diamond ring at Christie’s. The 5.03 carat ruby originated in Burma (Myanmar). UPDATE: THIS MADE 1 MILLION CHF AT HAMMER (€1.02 MILLION)
On the international scene yellow diamonds are the flavour of the month this month. Christie’s will offer The Yellow Rose in Geneva on May 15, an unmounted rare fancy intense yellow pear modified and brilliant cut diamond of 202.18 carats. Like most intense yellow diamonds it is from South Africa where deposits are rich in nitrogen.
Sotheby’s claim to have one of the world’s most significant fancy vivid yellow diamonds as a highlight of their magnificent jewels sale in Geneva on May 14. The Allnatt – named for its first recorded owner Major Alfred Allnatt, renowned British racehorse owner, philanthropist and patron of the arts – weighs in at 101.29 carats and is celebrated for its richly saturated gold colour, older cutting style and elegant 1950’s mounting by Cartier. It too originates in South Africa and the estimate is 5.6 million – 6.5 million Swiss francs (€5.74 million – €6.67 million).
Both sales are distinguished by one of a kind pieces and historic and modern jewellery from houses like Harry Winston, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany, JAR and many others.
Turquoise, lapis lazuli and diamond bracelet at Adams. UPDATE: THIS MADE 19,000 AT HAMMER
Meantime in Ireland viewing is underway both in Dublin and in Kells for the jewellery sales on May 14 at Adams and Matthews and the regular monthly jewellery and silver sale at O’Reilly’s of Francis St. in Dublin takes place on Wednesday. Top lots at Adams include a c1960 Serpenti bracelet watch and a ruby and diamond ring both by Bulgari. Each is estimated at €40,000-€60,000. A rare turquoise, lapis lazuli and diamond bracelet by Fred, Paris c1960 is estimated at €20,000-€30,000.
A Trinity bangle by Cartier is estimated at €6,000-€8,000 while a Trinity ring by the same maker (€700-€900) is one of a selection of lots available at under €1,000 in a catalogue with 268 lots in total.
A vintage diamond and enamel ring by David Morris hallmarked London 1975 is the top lot at O’Reilly’s with an estimate of €58,000-€65,000. It comes with a gold rope link and black enamel surround. A total of 234 lots will come under the hammer.
A selection of lots from Matthews
In Kells the auction at Matthews will offer silver and gold from various executor instructions, pawnbrokers unredeemed pledges and lots from private clients. The top lot is a Toi et Moi diamond ring (€12,000-€18,000). There is much to choose from in a wide selection of rings, brooches, bracelets, earrings, pendants and wristwatches. Happy hunting….
John Lennon’s long-lost Framus 12-string Hootenanny acoustic guitar, used in the recording of The Beatles’ Help! album and film and many other seminal hits from the 1960’s will headline Julien’s Auctions’ Music Icons two-day auction event at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York on May 29 and 30. Considered the most important Beatles guitar ever to come to market it is expected to exceed its estimate of $600,000 – $800,000 and set a new world record for the highest-selling Beatles guitar. The guitar can be heard on “Help!” “You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away”, “It’s Only Love” and “I’ve Just Seen A Face” and more. The Framus Hootenanny 12-string can also be heard on the The Beatles’ recording of “Girl” during the Rubber Soul sessions and on the rhythm track for “Norwegian Wood” played by George Harrison. By the mid to late 60s, the famous Framus was in the possession of Gordon Waller of Peter & Gordon, who later gave the Hootenanny 12-string guitar to their road managers. It was recently discovered in an attic in the rural British countryside where it had lain forgotten and unplayed for over 50 years.
