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    • O’CONOR STILL LIFE MAKES 48,000 AT HAMMER AT ADAMS

    December 3rd, 2015
    Roderic O'Conor (1860 - 1940) Still Life Study with Fruit and Pottery on a Mahogany Table

    Roderic O’Conor (1860 – 1940)
    Still Life Study with Fruit and Pottery on a Mahogany Table

    A still life by Roderic O’Conor was the top lot at the James Adam sale of Important Irish Art in Dublin last night. It sold for 48,000 at hammer in a sale which continued a good week of auction results for Irish art in Dublin.  The market is definitely turning.  There was more competitive bidding this season than has been seen for some time and the top lots at Adams, de Veres and Whyte’s all witnessed it. Nearly three million euro worth of Irish art has changed hands since Monday at three auctions in Dublin.

    Top of the Falls and The Creole by Jack Butler Yeats sold for 36,000 and 35,000 respectively at Adams. Other top hammer prices include: Composition XIII by Mainie Jellett (27,000); Portrait of Pamela Mitford by Paul Cesar Helleu (20,000);  Diane by Daniel O’Neill (21,000);  The Pillar by Rowan Gillespie (19,000); Girl at the Piano by John Shinnors (13,000); The House at Dalkey by Camille Souter (13,000); The House Opposite by William John Leech (12,000);  Motherhood by William Conor (10,000);  Bridge over the River by Donald Teskey (10,000); St. Martins by Tony O’Malley (8,000); A Horse Alone by Patrick Hennessy (9,000) and Uaimh 55 by Gwen O’Dowd (4,700).

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    COMBINED TOTAL OF US$341 MILLION AT CHRISTIE’S HONG KONG AUTUMN SALES

    December 2nd, 2015

    The autumn series of auctions at Christie’s in Hong Kong made a combined total of US$341 million.  It was a record year for jewellery sales in Asia and Christie’s reported a strong appetite for masterpieces.  International participation showed global growth this autumn and 25% of buyers in most categories were new to Christies.

    Rebecca Wei, President of Christie’s Asia, commented: “Christie’s autumn auctions in Hong Kong showed that the market is solid, as we witnessed strong demand not only for masterpieces, such as the Crimson Flame ruby and the Falangcai bowl, but at all price levels. Our innovative curatorial approach has been very well received across the board and particularly at our 20th Century and Contemporary Art sales, which achieved high sell-through rates and set over 20 world artist records. While seasoned collectors’ appetite for great works of art remains consistent, the number of new buyers has increased to 25% for most categories.”

    The Crimson Flame sold for US$18 million.

    The Crimson Flame sold for US$18 million.

    This rare Falangcai bowl made US$11 million.

    This rare Falangcai bowl made US$11 million.

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    BOEHM CUPS MAKE THREE TIMES TOP ESTIMATE

    December 2nd, 2015
    The c1880 enamel and silver cups by Hermann Boehm.

    The c1880 enamel and silver cups by Hermann Boehm.

    Two polychrome painted enamel and silver cups  sold for a hammer price of 24,000, three times the top estimate, at Sheppards sale in Durrow on December 1.    They are by Hermann Boehm, a foremost Viennese jeweller regarded as the greatest Austrian practitioner of the Revivalist goldsmiths work.

    He used local talents in painted enamels and hard stone to create a new Renaissance objects of splendour for international clients.  These date to around 1889. Each one is 17 inches high.  The estimate on the lot was 5,000-8,000.

    This c1790 Chippendale breakfront bookcase sold for 18,000.

    This c1790 Chippendale breakfront bookcase sold for 18,000.

    This Regency telescopic dining table made 18,000 at hammer.

    This Regency telescopic dining table made 18,000 at hammer.

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    YEATS PAINTING ON LOSS PROVES A WINNER

    December 1st, 2015
    Man in a train, Thinking by Jack Butler Yeats

    Man in a train, Thinking by Jack Butler Yeats

    A painting about a loser proved to be a winner at de Veres  auction of Irish art in Dublin tonight.  Man on a train, thinking by Jack B. Yeats sold for a hammer price of 220,000. It was the top lot in a successful sale which brought in 850,000 on the hammer and just over one million with fees.  Les Enfants et les Ombres by William John Leech made 56,000, A sunny morning in the fields, Pont-Aven by Walter Osborne made 38,000,Paul Henry’s Cottages, Connemara sold for 27,000, Anzio, The Overpass, III by Hughie O’Donoghue made 18,500.  Other prices achieved include Yellow Flags, Sligo by Norah McGuinness (9,000); Black Skirt still life by John Shinnors (15,500); Two by Rowan Gillespie (11,500); Box Four, 1969 by F.E. McWilliam (14,500): The Old Fountain, Madrid by Walter Osborne (17,ooo); A Hooker and a Nobbie by Yeats (40,000) and Painting, 1930 by Mainie Jellett (16,000).

    The story behind Man in a train, thinking was recounted by Yeats at a dinner of the Royal Hibernian Academy in 1929. Travelling by train to the west of Ireland he met a sickly looking man in a buttoned up collar who looked ill.  Inquiring whether he was alright the man explained that he had bought a ticket for the Calcutta Sweepstake for one pound and sold it for two. It was the winning ticket and brought in 100,000. Yeats said words to the effect that if that had happened to him he would have cut his throat. To his consternation his fellow traveller replied:  ‘That is just what I have done, sir”.

    (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for November 25, 2015).

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    MAO’S LETTER TO CLEMENT ATTLEE AT SOTHEBY’S

    December 1st, 2015

    A 1937 letter written by Mao Zedong, the Communist Party leader and brilliant guerrilla commander, to British politician Clement Attlee, then head of the Labour Party and future British Prime Minister, comes up at Sotheby’s in London on December 15.  It is only the second time that a letter signed by Mao has come to the international market in latter years and it is estimated at £100,000-150,000.  It is believe to be one of the first communications between the Communist leader and any Western politician.

    Dated November 1, 1937, the letter was written from Yan’an, a remote part of north-western China where the Communists had set-up their headquarters following the full-scale Japanese invasion of the country. After stating Mao’s solidarity and goodwill to the British people, the letter calls for the Labour Party’s urgent practical assistance in the fight against Japanese Imperialism.

    UPDATE:  It sold to a Chinese private collector for £605,000

    MAO 2MAO 1

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    A SUCCESSFUL OUTING FOR IRISH ART AT WHYTE’S

    December 1st, 2015
    Connemara by Paul Henry.

    Connemara by Paul Henry.

    ALL the top lots got away at Whyte’s successful sale of Important Irish Art in Dublin last night.  The top lot of the auction was Being by Louis le Brocquy which made a hammer price of 78,000 which comes to 97,188 with fees added.

    Paul Henry’s Connemara made 66,000 at hammer, Harvest Light by Tony O’Malley made a hammer of 34,000 and Island Crossing  VII by Donald Teskey sold for 30,000 at hammer.   The O’Malley result is pareticularly gratifying for the Irish market as works by this fine Irish artist who died in 2003 and whose work was subject to a major retrospective at The Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) have not been this good for some years.

    The sale brought in 800,000.  Whyte’s said the improvement in demand for Irish art of quality continues.

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    ETHEREAL LE BROCQUY AT WHYTE’S

    November 29th, 2015
    Being by Louis le Brocquy (1916-2012) (80,000-100,000).

    Being by Louis le Brocquy (1916-2012) (80,000-100,000).  UPDATE: THIS MADE 78,000 AT HAMMER

    An ethereal le Brocquy work entitled Being (80,000-100,000) highlights the sale by Whyte’s at the RDS on November 30.  From around the middle of the 1990’s to 2005 the artist returned to his earlier preoccupation with the Presence series in a body of work called human images, of which this is one.  There is a strong selection in a catalogue of 161 works. Whyte’s recent auctions have proved to be hugely successful and the auction house say that this confirms growing demand for quality pieces at the top end of the market.

    The catalogue is online.  Here is a small selection: (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for November 20, 2015)

    Charles Tyrrell C13.06 (3,000-5,000).

    Charles Tyrrell C13.06 (3,000-5,000).  UPDATE: THIS MADE 2,800

    Basil Blackshaw - Six Miles Valley (15,000-20,000).

    Basil Blackshaw – Six Miles Valley (15,000-20,000).  UPDATE: THIS MADE 13,000

    Willam Conor - On the Swings (12,000-15,000).

    Willam Conor – On the Swings (12,000-15,000).  UPDATE: THIS MADE 14,000

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    O’CONOR STILL LIFE AT JAMES ADAM

    November 29th, 2015

    Irish art by Roderic O’Conor and Jack B. Yeats will headline the James Adam sale of Important Irish Art in Dublin on December 2.   A still life study by O’Conor and a 1946 Yeats entitled The Creole  are each estimated at 30,000-50,000.  The sale of 241 lots offers a wide selection.  The catalogue is online.

    William John Leech RHA ROI (1881 - 1968) The House Opposite (10,000-15,000).

    William John Leech RHA ROI (1881 – 1968) The House Opposite (10,000-15,000).  UPDATE: THIS MADE 12,000 AT HAMMER.

    Tony O'Malley HRHA (1913-2003) St Martin's, April (1973) (8,000-12,000).

    Tony O’Malley HRHA (1913-2003) St Martin’s, April (1973) (8,000-12,000).  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 8,000 AT HAMMER

    Paul César Helleu (1859-1927) Portrait of Pamela Mitford (20,000-30,000).

    Paul César Helleu (1859-1927) Portrait of Pamela Mitford (20,000-30,000).  UPDATE: THIS MADE 20,000 AT HAMMER

    Roderic O'Conor (1860 - 1940) Still Life Study with Fruit and Pottery on a Mahogany Table (30,000-50,000).

    Roderic O’Conor (1860 – 1940)
    Still Life Study with Fruit and Pottery on a Mahogany Table (30,000-50,000).  UPDATE: THIS MADE 48,000 AT HAMMER

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    MORE THAN 800 VARIED LOTS AT SHEPPARDS

    November 28th, 2015

    There is a wide ranging choice among more than 800 lots at Sheppards sale in Durrow on December 1. One of the more expensively estimated lots is an Irish George III white marble and scagliola chimney piece in the manner of Pietro Bossi (30,000-50,000). There is antique furniture, lighting, rugs, art, Chinese porcelain, decorative items and clocks in a sale which includes jewellery from the collection of the Hon. Doreen O’Brien (1888-1960), daughter of the 14th Baron of Inchoquin. Among these is a diamond tiara estimated at 6,000-9,000.  Lot 601 in this auction is a prime Irish George II walnut settee c1745 estimated at 8,000-12,000.  The catalogue is online.

    An Irish George II walnut and upholstered settee at Sheppards on December 1.

    An Irish George II walnut and upholstered settee at Sheppards on December 1.  UPDATE: THIS MADE 9,100

    A diamond tiara from the collection of the Hon. Doreen O'Brien

    A diamond tiara from the collection of the Hon. Doreen O’Brien UPDATE: THIS MADE 20,000

    An Irish George III fireplace.

    An Irish George III fireplace.   UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

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    A KILLARNEY GAMES TABLE AT WATERFORD SALE

    November 28th, 2015
    The Killarney games table.

    The Killarney games table.  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 5,600

    The Asprey silver tray.

    The Asprey silver tray.  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    This Killarney games table comes up at RJ Keighery’s sale in Waterford on November 30.  Distinctive and inlaid with local scenes Killarney made furniture in arbutus wood is always prized by collectors of Irish antique furniture. This one is estimated at 4,000-6,000.

    The auction will include an Asprey two handled silver tray with gilt edges and six sweet dishes estimated at  6,000-8,000.  Among the other lots of interest is a Victorian long case clock with brass dial by Sharp, Dublin estimated at 1,500-2,000.

    Keighery’s City Auction Rooms in Waterford will conduct Monday’s sale live on the internet for the first time, becoming part of the growing digital trend among Irish auctioneers.

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