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  • PRINTS AND MULTIPLES AT SOTHEBY’S

    September 12th, 2013

    Works by Munch, Rembrandt, Picasso, Basquiat and Warhol will feature at Sotheby’s sale of Prints and Multiples in London on September 17.  The auction will be led by several rare woodcuts by Edvard Munch, an offering concurrent with the series of exhibitions in Oslo marking the 150th anniversary this December of the artist’s birth.  Rembrandt is represented by a selection of etched self-portraits spanning the years from 1630-1642. The sale will include a selection of over 100 ceramics by Picasso.

    Further highlights include work by Joan Miro and Louise Bourgeois.  Here is a small selection from the sale:

    UPDATE: THE sale brought a total of £5,284,600 ($8,408,856), exceeding the pre-sale high estimate (£3,056,700 – 4,298,800  / $4,863,821 – 6,840,251), and was 91.6% sold by lot and 94.3% sold by value.

    Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988)  Untitled, screenprint, 1982 (£3,500-5,000).

    Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988) Untitled, screenprint, 1982 (£3,500-5,000).  UPDATE: THIS MADE £11,250

    Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn (1606-1669) Self Portraitn leaning on a stone sill, 1639 (£8,000-12,000).

    Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn (1606-1669) Self Portraitn leaning on a stone sill, 1639 (£8,000-12,000).  UPDATE: THIS MADE £27,500

    Edvard Munch (1863 - 1944) EVENING, MELANCHOLY I, woodcut (£550,000-750,000).

    Edvard Munch (1863 – 1944) EVENING, MELANCHOLY I, woodcut (£550,000-750,000).  UPDATE: THIS MADE £962,500

    MORE THAN 80 EXHIBITORS AT CORK ANTIQUE FAIR THIS WEEKEND

    September 11th, 2013
    More than 80 exhibitors will bring an eclectic selection to the Cork Antique & Art Fair in Moran’s Silver Springs Hotel on September 14 and 15. The twice yearly fair has grown steadily. Exhibitors, who include a number of members of  the Irish Antique Dealers Association, will bring a selection of everything from a two and a three row of seats from the Hogan Stand at the old Croke Park to sapphire rings to silver candlesticks, antique furniture, Irish art, coins, banknotes, books including ten first editions by Arthur Rackham and collectibles of every sort.  Organisers Hibernian Antique Fairs promise over 500,000 items priced for sale. Here is a small selection:

    A pair of Rococo Silver candelsticks Dublin 1750 by R.Williams priced 25,000 at Weldons.

    A pair of Rococo Silver candelsticks Dublin 1750 by R.Williams priced 25,000 at Weldons.

    A Royal Crown Derby urn painted by Cuthbert Greasley c1913 at Brian Hurley's stand is priced at 550.

    A Royal Crown Derby urn painted by Cuthbert Greasley c1913 at Brian Hurley’s stand is priced at 550.

    A c1911 sapphire and diamond cluster ring is priced at 11,500 at Weldons.

    A c1911 sapphire and diamond cluster ring is priced at 11,500 at Weldons.

    A 1961 lithograph, L'essor I by George Braque, is priced at 2,450 at the Whitley Art Gallery stand.

    A 1961 lithograph, L’essor I by George Braque, is priced at 2,450 at the Whitley Art Gallery stand.

     Irish sugar bowl Geo111 1765 by Samuel Walker ,repousee of birds and foliage 2,250e

    This Irish George III sugar by Samuel Walker is priced at 2,250 at Weldons stand at the fair.

    STORR TUREENS AT JAMES ADAM IN DUBLIN

    September 11th, 2013

    A pair of neo-classical London silver soup tureens by Paul Storr dating from 1798 is among a selection of silver, furniture, art, porcelain and collectibles at the James Adam Sunday Interiors sale in Dublin on September 15 at 11 a.m. The catalogue, with 610 lots in total, is online. Here is a small selection.

    A pair of George III neo-classical sauce tureens and covers, London 1798, mark of Paul Storr (3,000-5,000).

    A pair of George III neo-classical sauce tureens and covers, London 1798, mark of Paul Storr (3,000-5,000).  UPDATE: THESE MADE 2,800 AT HAMMER.

    A 19th century Chinese carved cinnabar box and cover (500-800)

    A 19th century Chinese carved cinnabar box and cover (500-800)  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 300 AT HAMMER.

    A William and Mary style walnut and seaweed marquetry secretaire chest on chest (2,000-3,000)

    A William and Mary style walnut and seaweed marquetry secretaire chest on chest (2,000-3,000)  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 1,800 AT HAMMER.

    A pair of Italian pietre dure plaques by Giovanni Montelatici, Florence (1864-1930) (2,000-3,000).

    A pair of Italian pietre dure plaques by Giovanni Montelatici, Florence (1864-1930) (2,000-3,000).  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD.

    A Victorian brass framed square lantern (300-400).

    A Victorian brass framed square lantern (300-400). UPDATE: THIS MADE 280 AT HAMMER.

    SAMUEL SPODE (fl.1825-1858) A Gentleman with a Horse and Three Dogs (3,000-4,000).SAMUEL SPODE (fl.1825-1858) A Gentleman with a Horse and Three Dogs (3,000-4,000).

    SAMUEL SPODE (fl.1825-1858) A Gentleman with a Horse and Three Dogs (3,000-4,000).SAMUEL SPODE (fl.1825-1858) A Gentleman with a Horse and Three Dogs (3,000-4,000).  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 2,600 AT HAMMER.

    KOONS’ BALLOON DOG (ORANGE) AT CHRISTIE’S, NEW YORK

    September 10th, 2013

    koons dogJeff Koons’ Balloon Dog (Orange), one of the most recognizable images in today’s canon of art history, will come up at Christie’s in New York on November 12.  This spectacular artwork has graced the rooftop of New York’s Metropolitan Museum, Venice’s Grand Canal and the Palace of Versaille outside Paris.  It is an icon of popular culture, loved for its celebration of childhood, hope and innocence.

    It is estimated to  make $35-55 million at Christie’s sale of Post War and Contemporary Art.  Balloon Dog (Orange) is expected to surpass the artist’s current record of $33.6 million, established in 2012 by Christie’s New York with Koons’ chromatic Tulips (now on display at the Wynn Casino Las Vegas), and is set to make history for the sale of a work by a contemporary artist. Balloon Dog (Orange) is part of the Brant Collection and proceeds from the sale will be used to help fund future activities of The Brant Foundation Art Study Center in Greenwich, CT.

    UPDATE:  IT SOLD FOR $58,405,000 MILLION, THE MOST EXPENSIVE WORK BY A LIVING ARTIST EVER SOLD AT AUCTION.

    CHANTILLY HOUSE CONTENTS AUCTION IN CO. DUBLIN

    September 10th, 2013

    The contents of Chantilly House, Rathmichael, Co. Dublin will be auctioned by de Veres on Sunday, September 15.   The sale of 488 lots includes Irish antique furniture and mirrors.  There is Georgian, Regency and Victorian furniture and lots associated with what de Veres described as a good country house auction.  The catalogue is online. Here is a small selection:

    A carved giltwood wall mirror by James Hicks of Dublin (1,000-2,000).

    A carved giltwood wall mirror by James Hicks of Dublin (1,000-2,000). UPDATE: SOLD FOR 970

    William Crozier (1930-2011) Interior, Kilcoe, 2007 (8,000-12,000)

    William Crozier (1930-2011) Interior, Kilcoe, 2007 (8,000-12,000) UPDATE: This sold for 10,000

    A Regency rosewood crossbanded and inlaid sofa table (3,500-4,500)

    A Regency rosewood crossbanded and inlaid sofa table (3,500-4,500)  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    A giltwood wall mirror (2,000-3,000);

    A giltwood wall mirror (2,000-3,000); UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    A George III mahogany and satinwood Irish 18th century hall table (7,000-10,000)satinwood Irish 18th century hall table (7,000-10,000).

    A George III mahogany and satinwood Irish 18th century hall table (7,000-10,000)  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    A walnut and parcel gilt painted side cabinet (3,000-5,000).

    A walnut and parcel gilt painted side cabinet (3,000-5,000).  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    ICONS OF MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY CHINESE ART

    September 5th, 2013
    Red Flag I (1971) by Chen Yifei. (Click on image to enlarge).

    Red Flag I (1971) by Chen Yifei. (Click on image to enlarge).  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR $10,210,156 US.

    The Last Supper (2001) by Zeng Fanzhi.  (Click on image to enlarge).

    The Last Supper (2001) by Zeng Fanzhi. (Click on image to enlarge).  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR $23,273,151 US, A WORLD RECORD FOR A WORK OF ASIAN CONTEMPORARY ART.

    Icons of modern and contemporary Chinese art from the collection of Baron and Baroness Guy and Myriam Ullens de Schooten, renowned collectors and philanthropists based in Switzerland, come up at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong on October 5.  The two works are Red Flag I (1971) by Chen Yifei and The Last Supper (2001) by Zeng Fanzhi.  They are estimated respectively at US$5.8-7.7 million and in excess of US$10.3 million.

    The Guy & Myriam Ullens Foundation was established in Switzerland in 2002, sponsoring exhibitions of contemporary Chinese art in Europe and China and loaning works of art from their collection to museums worldwide.

    1956 IRA RECRUITMENT FLYER AT LIMERICK AUCTION

    September 5th, 2013
    This 1956 IRA recruitment flyer is at Limerick Auction Rooms on September 18. (Click on image to enlarge).

    This 1956 IRA recruitment flyer is at Limerick Auction Rooms on September 18. (Click on image to enlarge).

    A handwritten IRA recruitment flyer believed to have been handed out by Sean South in Limerick in 1956 comes up at a sale at Limerick Auction Rooms on September 25.  Sean South is one of the most celebrated of all IRA volunteers.  Born in Limerick he was one of two IRA men  killed in an attack on a joint RUC/B Specials barracks at Brookeborough on New Year’s Day in 1957.  The other volunteer who died was Fergal O’Hanlon.

    The attack inspired two popular rebel songs, Sean South of Garryowen and The Patriot Game.
    The printed Irish language flyer contains a reference to recruitment to the IRA in 1956.
    The auction contains a 1948 watercolour of Timothy O’Brien, a Limerick boy dressed in a cowboy outfit, signed by Sean South.
    The sale also offers a 1956 book refering to the 40th anniversary of the Easter Rising with various content in Irish and illustrations by Sean South

    McKenna tops Anglo Bank Collection Sale

    September 4th, 2013
    Stephen McKenna's Basket and Vessels.

    Stephen McKenna’s Basket and Vessels.

    Stephen McKenna’s Basket and Vessels was the top lot at the James Adam sale of the Anglo Irish Bank collection in Dublin on September 3.  It made 17,000 over an estimate of 8,000-12,000. The sale brought in 281,000 and was more than 90 per cent sold.

    James Adam is delighted with the result, saying: “it once again proves the point that collections with interesting provenance are very much sought after by Irish collectors”.

    See post on antiquesandartireland.com for August 22, 2013.

    LARGEST FLAWLESS OVAL DIAMOND EVER AT SOTHEBY’S

    September 4th, 2013
    The magnificent oval diamond at Sotheby's, Hong Kong.

    The magnificent oval diamond at Sotheby’s, Hong Kong. UPDATE: IT SOLD FOR $30.6 MILLION US.

    The largest D colour flawless type IIa diamond ever to appear at auction comes up at Sotheby’s Hong Kong on October 7.  The 118.28 carat stone is the largest oval shaped internally flawless diamond ever graded by the Gemological Institute of America.  Only four other white diamonds of this quality of over 100 carats have ever been sold at auction.  All were offered in Geneva salesrooms.  The fact that this one is being sold in Asia is testament to the importance of Hong Kong as an international jewellery auction centre.

    Discovered in 2011 from the deep mines of Southern Africa the 299 carat rough of this stone is one of the largest found in recent years.  The resulting stone is estimated at US$28-35 million which is in excess of the current highest price ever paid for any white diamond at auction.

    UPDATE: IT MADE $30.6 MILLION US.  This is a world record for any white diamond at auction.

    MEMORIES OF THE GREAT IRISH FAMINE AT WHYTE’S HISTORY SALE

    September 2nd, 2013
    The writing slope with famine connections. (Click on image to enlarge).

    The writing slope with famine connections. (Click on image to enlarge).  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 3,200

    Poignant memories of the impact of the Great Famine on the poor of west Cork will come under the hammer at Whyte’s sale of History, Literature and Collectibles in Dublin on  September 14. Lot 116 is a  rosewood writing slope presented to James H. Swanton by three doctors practising in and around Skibereen in 1846-49. Swanton, a landowner at Rineen, provided many buildings  for relief.  Drs. Donovan, Somerville and Hadden were among the first to realise the scale of the disaster.  Dr. Donovan in desperation wrote to The Times in London outlining the terrible famine conditions.  There were about 20 ancillary workhouses in Skibereen including Swantons Store at Levis Quay. The writing slope is estimated at 3,000-4,000.