Alberto Giacometti – Grande Tete Mince (Grande Tete de Diego)
This bust by Giacometti of his brother Diego, once in the collection of Marguerite and Aime Maeght, failed to sell at Sotheby’s in New York last night. The headline lot of the auction had been estimated at around $70 million, but the bids made failed to reach this figure. The work from 1955 was shown at the 1956 Venice Biennale. The Modern evening auction realised $196,225,600. The top lot of the evening was Homme Assis by Picasso which made $15.1 million. Leaves of a Plant by Georgia O’Keeffe made £12.9 million and La Traversee difficile by Magritte made $10 million.
See post on antiquesandartireland.com for May 1, 2025
This retro tank design Kashmir sapphire and diamond ring from the 1940’s sold for a hammer price of €550,000 at the James Adam Jewellery sale in Dublin today. It had been estimated at €150,000-250,000. The ring is centred on a cushion-shaped sapphire weighing 6.22cts, between old brilliant and tapered baguette-cut diamond shoulders and baguette-cut diamond borders, mounted in 18 carat gold. The diamonds are approximately 2.00 carats in total.
In 1880 a landslide in the Himalayas revealed an unusual type of rock previously buried under layers of soil from which blue stones protruded. Mining began in 1882 and by 1887, despite the intensely hot summers, the mine had been exhausted. With the assistance of British geologists a new mine was found in the valley below but this too was quickly depleted. No other deposits have since been found. Kashmir sapphires command a high price because they contain a top-quality specimen. You may come across other blue sapphires, Burmese or Ceylonese, but only those from Kashmir possess a distinctive tint. Experts call it blue velvet.
See post on antiquesandartireland.com for May 3, 2025
CLAUDE MONET – PEUPLIERS au bord de l’Epte, crépuscule
Monet’s Peupliers au bord de l’Epte, crépuscule made $43 million and set a new record for his celebrated Peupliers series at Christie’s in New York last night. The sale total for the collected works of Leonard and Louise Riggio and the 20th Century evening sale was $489 million, with $272 million for the Riggio collection and $217 for the 20th Century sale. The sales were 99% sold by lot and 98% sold by value.
The top lot of the evening was a Mondrian canvas – Composition with Large Red Plane, Bluish Gray, Yellow, Black and Blue – which made $47.6 million. It was from the Riggio collection. This is among the top three prices for the artist at auction. The sale was further highlighted by Magritte’s L’empire des lumieres which made $35 million, and a portrait of Lee Miller by Picasso, which made $28 million.
See posts on antiquesandartireland.com for May 4 and February 21, 2025
The death after a short illness yesterday of George Stacpoole has occasioned deep regret throughout the antique trade in Ireland. Aged 88 George was a founder member of the Irish Antique Dealers Association and its former longstanding President. He was a tireless promoter of art, books and antiques, of which he had a deep knowledge which he was always glad to share. He opened his first shop at Cecil St. in Limerick in 1964 and later moved to Adare. Early clients at his shop included John and Gertrude Hunt, Sybil Connolly, Jackie Kennedy during her 1967 visit to Ireland, Edna O’Brien and Catherine Deneuve.
This c1955 diamond and ruby necklace with 107 Burmese rubies is at Adams in Dublin (€90,000-€110,000). UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD
A total of 259 lots headed by a diamond ring with three old cut stones (€26,000-€29,000) will come under the hammer at the Design sale by O’Reilly’s of Francis St. in Dublin at noon on May 14. The auction of fine watches at James Adam is at 6 pm on the same day. The top lot is a Patek Philippe perpetual calendar c1980 watch (€30,000-€50,000). The sale of fine jewellery and ladies watches at Adams at 2 pm on May 13 is now on view in Dublin.
Maria Spilsbury – Portrait of Jane Bryan of Cong at Adams. UPDATE: THIS MADE 8,000 AT HAMMER
Art from Irish old masters to the contemporary will take centre stage at auctions by Morgan O’Driscoll on May 12, Sheppards on May 14 and Adams on May 15.
The catalogue cover lot for the Irish Old Masters evening sale at Adams is an arresting portrait of Jane Bryan of Cong by Maria Spilsbury (€8,000-€10,000). The London born artist relocated to Ireland in 1813. Her work is represented in major institutional collections like the National Gallery of Ireland, the British Museum, Tate Britain and the Museum of Methodism in London. Spilsbury painted portraits, genre scenes and religious work. Her depiction of Patron’s Day at the Seven Churches, Glendalough c1816 at the National Gallery is regarded as one of the most significant visual records of early 19th century devotional life in Ireland.
The most expensively estimated painting in the sale is Figures by the Temple in the Park at Mount Merrion by William Ashford (€50,000-€80,000). The auction offers a choice of Irish landscapes by artists like James Arthur O’Connor, Thomas Roberts, George Mullins, William Sadler and George Barret. There are portraits by Hugh Douglas Hamilton, Nathanial Hone, Robert Hunter and others along with seascapes by Edwin Hayes, Richard Brydges Beechey and John Thomas Serres. The sale kicks off with six etchings and engravings by James Barry, offers a set of Malton’s Views of Dublin and a preparatory scheme for the mythological murals at Lyons, Co. Kildare by Gaspare Gabrielli among 66 lots.
Ya Tsai Chiu (1949-2013) – Female Profile at Morgan O’Driscoll. UPDATE: THIS MADE 32,000 AT HAMMER
Two names from the east stand out in Morgan O’Driscoll’s current online auction. Ya Tsai Chiu paints gracefully elongated figures that, though different, somehow recall Modigliani while the sensitive female subjects of Zhao Kailin are endowed with a wistful, enigmatic quality. Both artists have wide appeal and thriving market records.
The auction offers highly collectible work by Peter Curling, Donald Teskey, Michael Flatley, Evie Hone, Mr Brainwash, Dan O’Neill, Conor Fallon, Sean Scully and many other artists. A study of The Grey Mare, Renvyle was painted in 1933 by Harry Kernoff. A le Brocquy tapestry titled Shimmering Light was woven by Donegal Carpets in 1956 and George Campbell’s affectionate study of flamenco performers has all the elan of a man who could play the guitar and well as wield the brush.
Graham Knuttel – Still Life Table Top at Sheppards. UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD
An Aubusson tapestry, Garlanded Goat by le Brocquy, leads the Irish and International art auction at Sheppards with an estimate of €80,000-€120,000. Emer, a unique life sized bronze horse by Anthony Scott, is a significant example of Irish contemporary bronze sculpture. Scott’s sculpture dedicated to the champion racehorse Sea the Stars was unveiled at the National Stud by the late Queen Elizabeth during her State visit to Ireland. Sheppards estimate this one at €30,000-€50,000.
Among 166 lots In Memory by Daniel O’Neill was last at auction at The Irish Sale at Christie’s in 2007. It is now estimated at €20,000-€30,000. A rare Still Life with Jug and Shapes by William Crozier, painted in oil on a tin metal tray, is estimated at €2,000-€3,000. There is a similar estimate on a Taurus watercolour by Pauline Bewick. With art by Markey Robinson, Arthur Maderson, Evie Hone, Fr. Jack Hanlon, Mark O’Neill, Henry Healy, Roderic O’Conor, Melanie le Brocquy, Michael Mulcahy, John Doherty, Michael Hales, Hughie O’Donoghue, John Luke and many more renowned Irish artists this sale has much to hold the interest.
Howard Helmick – Whiskey by the Hearth at Adams. UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD
19th century pitch pine bookcase at Victor Mee’s sale of contents from the St. Louis Convent in Monaghan. UPDATE: THIS MADE 3,400 AT HAMMER
A once off selection of antique furniture, lighting, religious art and ecclesiastical brass will come under the hammer at Victor Mee’s live online sale of contents from the St. Louis Convent in Monaghan and other clients on May 13 and 14 at 6 pm on both days. A selection of one off pieces is led by a large 19th century six door bookcase with a realistic estimate of just €800-€1,200. A 19th century pitch pine bookcase, another very large piece, has an estimate of €600-€1,200. At the other end of the sale is a striking pair of 1970’s leather club chairs by Bart van Bekhoven (€800-€1,200). Oak refectory tables and a French gilded six branch chandelier are among the standout lots.
Pub mirrors are highly collectible and Aidan Foley will offer a number of them at his online sale next on May 12 and 13 at 6 pm on each day. A rare Watts Tyrconnell Pure Pot Still Whiskey mirror and a large Jameson Whiskey mirror lead the pack. There are concert posters of Limerick interest featuring U2 and The Pogues at The Savoy and a large selection of hotel furniture. The catalogue is online and the auction is on view until Monday at the old Cleeves Toffee factory in Limerick.
UPDATE: THE SALE BY VICTOR MEE HAS BEEN PUT BACK TO MAY 20-21.
A large Jameson Whiskey mirror at Aidan Foley’s sale. UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD
Anne Primrose Jury HRUA – Errigal, Donegal. UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR €571
This oil on board of Mount Errigal by Anne Primrose Jury is at the online sale of Irish Paintings by Adams Blackrock which runs until May 21. Under new ownership the company has moved to 17 Kildare St. in Dublin and three online sales, jewellery and watches, antiques and furniture and Irish paintings are all live online and running until May 21. This painting is estimated at €500-€600 and the catalogues for all three sales are online.
FELIM EGAN (1952 – 2020) – CANARY (2007). UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD
This meditative composition by Felim Egan is lot 20 at Sheppards Irish and International art sale on May 14. The restrained geometry and tonal shifts create an atmosphere of stillness—typical of Egan’s singular contribution to Irish abstraction. The surface is finely worked, suggesting multiple veils of pigment applied over time. His minimalist compositions, built up in semi-translucent layers, earned him international recognition. The artist received the Gold Award at Cagnes-sur-Mer and his work is held in collections such as the Irish Museum of Modern Art and the European Parliament. This acrylic on canvas is estimated at €3,000-€5,000. There are 166 lots in the auction and the catalogue is online.
This 1970’s lapis lazuli and diamond ring of brutalist geometric form, made up of openwork cubes and rectangles is at the Design Sale by O’Reilly’s of Francis St., Dublin on May 14. Mounted in 18 carat gold it was retailed by Schaap and Citroen, Jewellers, of The Netherlands. Lot 93 is estimated at €2,000-€2,500. There are 259 lots in the sale and the catalogue is online.
