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    • CHRISTIE’S MARKS 60 YEARS IN ITALY

    March 27th, 2018

    Gino De Dominicis (1947-1998) – Untitled. Gold and silver leaf, tempera and pencil on panel. Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd.

    In 2018 Christie’s Italy celebrates its 60th anniversary, since the auction house opened its first ever representative office outside the UK in Rome in 1958. After five years of very successful Milan Modern and Contemporary auctions with average sell-through rates of 93% by lot, Christie’s will offer the 6th edition of this curated sale on April  11 at Palazzo Clerici in Milan.

    Reflecting a growing global appetite for the best of Italian post-war and contemporary art, Christie’s Milan auctions have seen an increase of international participation over the years with registrants coming from 17 countries, including from Europe, Middle East, UK, Asia, North and South America.

    Renato Pennisi, Director and Senior Specialist, Head of Sale, Christie’s Italy, said: “The April 2018 auction will offer a very tailor-made approach to satisfy the needs of our national and growing international collector group. All 57 lots are being sourced privately and many have never or not appeared at auction for decades. This year we have integrated a new section dedicated to the figurative artists, which is been celebrated with the current exhibition Post Zang Tumb Tuuum. Art Life Politics: Italia 1918–1943 at the Fondazione Prada until 28 June. We are again pleased to present such a great variety of 20th century Italian art movements in Milan, as this city continues to be a key location to buy the very best of Italian Art”.

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    March 24th, 2018

    The Spring sale of Irish art at James Adam in Dublin takes place on March 27. The catalogue, which lists 123 lots, is online.  Here is a small selection:

    (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for March 20, 2018)

    Colin Middleton RHA RUA (1910 – 1983) Judy  UPDATE: THIS MADE 26,000 AT HAMMER

    Richard Doyle (1824 – 1883)
    Pied Piper of Hamelin  UPDATE: THIS MADE 10,000 AT HAMMER

    James Arthur O’Connor (1792-1841)
    Two Figures in a Moonlit Landscape  UPDATE: THIS MADE 7,400 AT HAMMER

    Felim Egan (b.1952)
    Blue Motion (1986)
    Triptych  UPDATE: THIS MADE 2,800 AT HAMMER

    Looking towards Achill from the east of Achill Sound by Paul Henry  UPDATE: THIS MADE 47,000 AT HAMMER

    Bird Barking by Hilary Heron (1923-1976)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 7,000 AT HAMMER

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    March 24th, 2018

    Africa Dances by Ben Enwonwu (£60,000-£90,000). UPDATE:  THIS SOLD FOR £187,500

    Modern and Contemporary African art will come under the hammer at Sotheby’s in London on March 28.  This is the second dedicated sale in what is the newest specialist department at Sotheby’s.  It will include works by 62 artists from 16 countries across Africa.

    The focus is on contemporary art.  Most of these works have not been offered before in an international auction. Last year the inaugural sale in this category drew buyers from 30 countries and more than half the lots sold at figures above the high estimate.

    Hannah O’Leary, head of modern and contemporary art at Sotheby’s said:  “The international spotlight on Modern and Contemporary African art is growing ever stronger as museums, critics and art fairs increasingly look to profile art from the region”.

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    THE FARNESE BLUE – A WITNESS TO HISTORY

    March 21st, 2018

    The Farnese Blue

    After three centuries in the same family one of the foremost historic diamonds – The Farnese Blue – will come to market  for the first time in history this spring. Given to Elisabeth Farnese, Queen of Spain (1692-1766), worn on a diadem that formerly belonged to the last Queen of France, Marie-Antoinette (1755-1791), the legendary diamond has subsequently passed down through four of the most important royal families in Europe: Spain, France, Italy and Austria. Witness to 300 years of European history the diamond has travelled across the continent for centuries.  It was kept secretly in a royal casket.  Few knew of its existence. The 6.16-carat pear shaped blue diamond will be offered in Sotheby’s sale of Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels in Geneva on May 15 2018 with an estimate of US$ 3.7 – 5.3 million.

    Blue has often been identified as the colour of the Kings and in the 17 and 18th centuries, blue diamonds were viewed as the ultimate royal gift. Like the famous Hope and Wittelsbach diamonds, the Farnese Blue was certainly found in the famed Golconda mines of India, which was the sole source of diamonds until the discoveries in Brazil in the 1720’s.

    David Bennett, Chairman of Sotheby’s International Jewellery Division and Co-Chairman of Sotheby’s Switzerland, said: “It is difficult to put into words the excitement of holding between thumb and forefinger a gem discovered centuries ago, knowing it originated in the legendary Golconda diamond mines of India. This stone has witnessed 300 years of European history, and in colour is reminiscent of historic Golconda blue gems such as the Hope diamond.”.

    UPDATE: IT SOLD FOR US$6.7 MILLION

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    IMPORTANT IRISH ART AT JAMES ADAM

    March 20th, 2018

    Portrait of Maria Susanna Ormsby by Hugh Douglas Hamilton RHA (1734-1808)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 26,000 AT HAMMER

    The Spring Sale of Important Irish Art at James Adam in Dublin on March 27 will offer a range of work from the 18th century to the present day. One of the earliest is a rediscovered portrait by Hugh Douglas Hamilton, arguably this country’s most important portraitist, of Maria Susanna Ormsby, daughter of the MP for Sligo William Ormsby.  This painting re-emerged in the dispersal of the Harlech Collection in Wales a year ago and is now estimated at 25,000-35,000.

    A Paul Henry, Looking Towards Achill from the East of Achill Sound, is estimated at 40,000-60,000. There are two large works by Tony O’Malley and two by John Shinnors from  very different periods.  The mid 20th century Northern Irish School is well represented by artists like Colin Middleton and Dan O’Neill which William Conor’s 1923 work Water Buckets is estimated at 20,000-30,000.  The catalogue is online and features 123 works.

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    A VENETIAN NOBLEMAN PAINTED BY RUBENS

    March 19th, 2018

    Sir Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640) – Portrait of a bearded Venetian nobleman, bust length.  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR £5,416,400

    A rare portrait by Sir Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640) will spearhead Sotheby’s Old Masters sale in London on July 4. Unseen on the market for 60 years, this remarkable depiction of a Venetian Nobleman was almost certainly cherished by the artist who kept it until his death in 1640. Acquired by the great Dutch collector Hans Wetzlar in the early 1950’s it has remained in the possession of his descendants ever since.

    Painter, designer, print-maker, sculptor, architect, diplomat, peace-treaty broker, at the helm of the largest studio of his time, Rubens was the first great artist-collector in Northern Europe and the fact that he almost certainly owned the present portrait until his death is testament to its importance.

    George Gordon, Worldwide Co-Chairman of Sotheby’s Old Master Department, said: “Rubens is known as the “Prince of the painters” and his legacy is far reaching. His timeless modernity and immediacy is evident in this painting which encapsulates several strands of his creative, emotional and intellectual life. With its bravura brushwork which shows no hint of hesitancy, this is a portrait of a man as real to us as he was in the artist’s mind. Almost 400 years after being created, this is a painting that gives the viewer immense pleasure, and one in which we can feel Rubens’ own joy in creating it.”

    Painted in the 1620’s this is one of only a few portraits by the artist to come on the market in recent years. It is estimated in the region of £3 million.  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR £5,416,400

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    NATIONAL ANTIQUES FAIR AT LIMERICK

    March 18th, 2018
    All roads lead to Limerick this Bank Holiday weekend for the National Antiques Fair – billed as Ireland’s biggest – at the South Court Hotel on March 18 and 19.  No matter what your area of interest – antique furniture, jewellery, silver, art, Oriental porcelain, collectibles of every sort – there is bound to be more than enough to whet the appetite from the display on offer.
    This flagship fair features nearly 100 antique shops, dealers, art galleries and vintage dealers.  Among them are various members of the Irish Antique Dealers Association.
    There is a large assembly of dealers from Dublin like James Weldon, Danker Antiques, IADA and Matthew Weldon and throughout the country like Treasures Irish Art, Athlone, porecelain dealer Brian Hurley of Kinsale and antique furniture from William Harnett of Newcastlewest to name but a few.  Underlining the importance of collectibles the Hunt Museum maintains a presence at this fair.  There promises to be something for everyone with prices in all ranges.

    Victorian dining table and chairs

    A 19th century Chinese export covered dish

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    BRONZE CLUB DOORS MAKE FOUR TIMES ESTIMATE

    March 13th, 2018

    Niall Mullen pictured with the bronze doorrs Howl At The Moon Photo:Michael Donnelly.

    Some of the biggest names in the pub and hospitality industry turned up at the Victor Mee auction at Killenard, Co. Laois  as 1,500 items from Dublin entertainment venue Howl at the Moon came under the hammer. A pair of Game of Thrones-style bronze doors from the central Dublin nightclub made 12,500 – four times the top estimate. A two-metre square French chandelier made 2,800.

    “The competition in the room and online sparked several bidding wars with items starting in low hundreds and ending up at four figures,” said auction organiser Niall Mullen, who was delighted that the bronze doors were staying in the country. The calibre of bidder shows that the entertainment industry is back in buying mood, with many items making well above previous levels.”

    The auction continues today Tuesday with the entire contents of the private members club Residence including bars, mirrors, glassware and furniture, historical items from Clery’s and lots from the Shelbourne Hotel.

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    THE SPRING SALE AT MEALY’S IN CASTLECOMER

    March 11th, 2018

    Nearly 700 lots will come under the hammer at Mealy’s  Spring sale in Castlecomer on March 13.  Among them is a portrait bust of the 19th century world famous Limerick soprano Catherine Hayes as well as antique furniture, art, collectibles and rugs.  The catalogue is online. Here is a small selection:

    (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for March 5)

    NINETEENTH CENTURY CHINESE LACQUERED AND CHINOISERIE DECORATED CHAMFER WOOD CHEST. (500-800)

    A GARNITURE OF THREE INDIAN SILVER STEMMED BOWLS. By Grish Chunder Dutt. Calcutta. c. 1900 (250-350)

    A PAIR OF VICTORIAN MAHOGANY AND SERPENTINE FRONTED IRISH CARD TABLES (900-1,100)

    ATTRIBUTED TO CHARLES HENRY COOK (1830-1906), ‘Irish Peasant Figures with Donkey and Poultry by a Thatched Cottage door (1,200-1,500)

    IRISH GEORGIAN STYLE CARVED MASK SIDE TABLE. (3,000-4,000)

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    SHEPPARDS TWO DAY SALE IN DURROW

    March 10th, 2018

    Classical Convergences, Sheppards two day sale in Durrow, Co. Laois over four sessions on March 13 and 14, is now on view.  There is period Irish, English and Continental furniture, rugs, carpets, prints, paintings, collectibles and watches.  The catalogue is online. Here is a small selection:

    EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY BRASS MOUNTED CARVED OAK TRUNK (1,500-2,500)  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    18 CT. WHITE GOLD AND DIAMOND (27.69 CARAT) NECKLACE, CENTER STONE 2.73 CARAT (35,000-45,000)

    EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY PERIOD WALNUT AND HERRINGBONE INLAID CHEST (1,500-2,500)   UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    NINETEENTH-CENTURY PERIOD GILT FRAMED MIRROR OF CUSHION FORM (1,000-1,500)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 950 AT HAMMER

    WHITE CARARA AND SIENNA MARBLE CHIMNEY PIECE (6,000-9,000)  UPDATE:THIS MADE 6,500 AT HAMMER

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