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    • SUPERIOR DUBLIN INTERIOR UNDER THE HAMMER AT ADAMS

    June 17th, 2011

    IN Dublin James Adam will auction the contents of the superior interior of 24 Fitzwilliam Square on Tuesday, June 21 at 11 a.m.  The sale takes place at the James Adam Salerooms on St. Stephen’s Green. It is on view on Saturday, Sunday and Monday at nearby Fitzwilliam Square.

    See antiquesandartireland.com post for June 7.

    UPDATE: Trade buyers were in short supply in a sale which brought in a hammer price of 510,000 against a lower estimate of 700,000.  The most expensive pieces were left unsold, which seems to be a developing trend of the moment in major international antique furniture events. There were some remarkable prices for the less expensively estimated pieces.

    Here is a selection of some of the lots on offer:

    This Directoire games table, purchased from Galerie Saint-Germain, Monte Carlo, 1995, is estimated at 2,000-4,000. Update: this was unsold.

    An Irish George III brass bound mahogany plate bucket is estimated at 800-1,200. UPDATE: THIS MADE 1,600.

    A George III terrestrial globe by W & T.M. Bardin, London, estimate 10,000-15,000. UPDATE: THIS MADE 16,000.

    Sir Godfrey Kneller (German, 1646-1723), Portrait of a Young Lady estimated at 25,000-35,000. UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD.

    A Lyon and silk damask double bed, headboard and canopy estimated at 3,000-5,000. UPDATE: THIS MADE 3,000.

    A Louis XV ormolu mounted kingwood and amaranth commode with rouge marble top is estimated at 1,500-2,000. UPDATE: This made 2,100.

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    DIAMOND JEWELLERY IN IRELAND AND ABROAD

    June 16th, 2011

    An aquamarine and diamond spray brooch estimated at 1,500-2,000. (click to enlarge) UPDATE: THIS MADE 1,800.

    This Art Deco diamond target ring is estimated at 18,000-22,000. (click on image to enlarge)  UPDATE:  THIS MADE 16,000 AND WAS THE TOP LOT IN THE SALE.
    These are some lots from the next auction at O’Reilly’s of Francis St., Dublin which takes place on June 22.  The sale features 497 lots (the catalogue is on-line) including  diamond rings, bracelets, an opal and diamond pendant, Art Deco jewellery, antique gold jewellery and coins, watches by Rolex, Cartier, Piaget and Omega. There is also some antique silverware, collectables, furniture and paintings.
    SEE HOW IT LOOKS ON YOU

    Meanwhile the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum has launched a novel Facebook application for jewellery enthusiasts.  It enables the user to virtually try on 28 pieces from the “Set in Style: The Jewelry of Van Cleef & Arpels” exhibition, on view at the New York museum until July 4.
    They see it as an innovative way to reach new audiences.
    The app, available at http://www.facebook.com/cooperhewitt, enables the user  to dress a photo with a work from the exhibition. Included are necklaces, brooches, earrings and a tiara worn by Princess Grace of Monaco.

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    TREASURE TROVE OF IMAGES WITH MAGIC LANTERN

    June 16th, 2011

    A late 19th century Irish street scene.

    Ogham Stone at Kilmalkedar Kerry.

    Early Irish group tourists at the Sphinx in Egypt.

    A treasure trove of around 300 early slide  images complete with a magic lantern come under the hammer at Hegarty’s sale in Bandon on June 19 at 4 p.m.  It is from The Old Manse in Dunmanway, home since 1873 to the Methodist clergyman.  Hundreds of slides depict Irish 19th century scenes as well as the pyramids in Egypt and the Holy Land.  There are streetscapes, landscapes and pictures of people, many barefoot. One set of slides llustrate the life and works of John Wesley, founder of the Methodists.  The magic lantern was made by Riley Bros. of Bradford. Hegarty’s estimate the lot at 1,500-2,500.  The sale has over 430 lots including furniture, art, collectibles and jewellery.

    UPDATE:  The magic lantern and slides sold for 4,000. This was the joint top lot in a sale where 80 per cent of lots found buyers.  A three stone diamond ring also made 4,000.

    The magic lantern with some of the boxed images. UPDATE: THE LANTERN AND SLIDES MADE 4,000

    A longcase clock by Sanderson, Dublin at Hegarty's. UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD.

    An Oriental cabinet and stand at Hegarty's. UPDATE: THIS MADE 1,250

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    MODERN BRITISH ART AUCTION ACHIEVES HIGHEST EVER TOTAL

    June 15th, 2011

    Sir Stanley Spencer RA - Sunflower and Dog Worship sold for £5,417,250. (click on image to enlarge). (image copyright Sotheby's).

    THE highest total ever for an auction of Modern British Art was achieved at Sotheby’s this evening.  Just 30 lots brought in the remarkable total of £37,464,300 / $61,224,159, doubling the pre-sale high estimate of £16 / $26 million.  Part I of The Evill/Frost Collection sale surpassed all expectations and established eight auction records.

    The top lot was Stanley Spencer’s Sunflower and Dog Worship, which sold for £5,417,250 over a pre-sale estimate of £1-1.5 million.  No less than five bidders vied for the painting. This broke the record set for the artist earlier at the same sale when Workmen in the House sold for £4,745,250.
    The sale saw the highest price at auction for a Lucian Freud work on paper.  There were new record prices Graham Sutherland, William Roberts, David Jones, Leon Underwood, Edward Burra, John Skeaping and Patrick Heron.
    Sutherlands The Crucifixion made  £713,250, Roberts Discussion in a Cafe made  £373,250, July Change by David Jones made  £32,450,  Sungirl by Leon Underwood made £91,250, Zoot Suits by Edward Burra made  £2,057,250, John Skeaping’s Pouter-Pigeon made £58,850 and Patrick Heron’s The Blue Table with Window made £1,049,250.
    Boat on a Beach, a 1945 work on paper that records a trip Lucian Freud made to the Scilly Isles, sold for £2,617,250.
    See antiquesandartireland.com post for March 7, 2011
    UPDATE:  The three-part sale of the Evill/Frost collection brought a combined total of £42,484,639 against a high estimate of £19 million.

    Boy on a Sofa by Lucian Freud made £1,497,250. (click on image to enlarge, copyright Sotheby's)

    Workmen in the House by Sir Stanley Spencer made £4,745,250. (click on image to enlarge, copyright Sotheby's)

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    IRISH ART AND MODERNISM AT AVA GALLERY, CLANDEBOYE

    June 15th, 2011
    An exhibition celebrating Irish art and modernism runs at the Ava Gallery at Clandeboye in Northern Ireland from June 16 to September 3.  Comprising 49 paintings and sculptural objects it features work by Jack B.Yeats, William Orpen, Mainie Jellett, Charles Lamb, Colin Middleton, F.E. McWilliam, Evie Hone, John Luke, and Gerard Dillon.

    Gerard Dillon, Tea Break from the exhibition. (Click on image to enlarge)

    William Orpen, Portrait of Dolly Stiles. (click on image to enlarge)

    The show marks the 20th anniversary of the ground-breaking exhibition and book ‘Irish Art & Modernism’ by Dr. B S Kennedy.  This work surveyed the period 1880 until 1950, and was published to accompany an exhibition of the same title held at Dublin’s Hugh Lane Gallery in 1991.
    The Adam’s exhibition at the Ava Gallery looks to recreate the original show, but largely concentrates on the latter half of the period. It focuses on areas including the Pupils of William Orpen; the Traditionalists, including Keating, McCaig and McKelvey; the Dublin Painters, based on the school established by Paul and Grace Henry; the Ulster Unit, featuring Middleton, O’Neill, Luke, Campbell and Dillon; the White Stag Group and the early Living Art Exhibitions, heralded by Le Brocquy, Jellett and McGuinness.
    David Britton, Director, Adam’s & Ava Gallery, said: “We have gone to great efforts to feature almost every artist that was included in the original 1991 exhibition, and in three cases we were able to source the original paintings – Christopher Campbell’s ‘Self Portrait’ of 1950, Charles Lamb’s ‘Hearing the News’, c. 1920-2, and Nick Nicholl’s ‘Contemplation, 1944’. Furthermore a number of works were recently included in the Irish Museum of Modern Art’s (IMMA) ‘The Moderns Exhibition’, including Evie Hone, Paul Henry & Jack B. Yeats. Many of the works we’ve selected weren’t available for exhibition twenty years ago, so we hope this 20th anniversary collection provides further insight to Irish modernism, and perhaps puts the original exhibition into a newer context”.
    Further information is available online at adams.ie/clandeboye. An exhibition catalogue can be downloaded.

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    SILVER FROM BANK OF IRELAND VAULTS AT BONHAMS

    June 14th, 2011

    George II sauceboats and other silver at Bonhams. (click to enlarge)

    Irish silver locked away in the vaults of the Bank of Ireland for the past 50 years comes up for sale at  Bonhams in London on June 22.  It is from the collection of Dr F S Bourke who lived in Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin and practised at Dr. Steeven’s Hospital.

    Bonhams silver sale on June 22. (click on image to enlarge)

    It was put together with the help of his close friend, the celebrated silver authority, Dudley Westropp.

    On his death in 1961 the collection was stored in the vaults of the Bank of Ireland. Some items retain original shops labels or have notes written by Dr. Bourke or Mr. Westropp.  It is expected to bring in between £36,000-46,000.
    Highlights include a pair of George II Irish silver sauce boats (£4,000-5,000) a rare 18th century Irish silver saffron teapot and an 18th century Irish Provincial silver cream jug.
    The collection is being sold by Dr. Bourke’s grandson.
    UPDATE:  The pair of Irish silver sauce boats did not sell.

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    MASTERPIECES FROM CHRISTIE’S SUMMER SEASON IN LONDON

    June 13th, 2011

    Gimcrack by Stubbs. (click on image to enlarge)

    A curated exhibition showcasing highlights from one of Christie’s most exciting auction seasons is on display at King St. in London from June 13 to June 15. Museum quality works by artists including Michelangelo, Gainsborough, Goya, Stubbs, Monet, Picasso and Renoir, exceptional furniture and medieval manuscripts are included in a disiplay of over 100 works entitled Masterpieces. Most will be offered at auction during the next four weeks in a season expected to realise more than £250 million.

    Jussi Pylkkänen, President & Chairman of Christie’s, Europe, Middle East, Russia & India said: “This year we have curated an exhibition for the public of extraordinary quality. The Masterpieces show will include Michelangelo’s beautiful study for the “The Battle of Cascina”, which has been seen in public only once since it was executed, Pablo Picasso’s voluptuous portrait of Marie-Therèse, which was last exhibited in 1941, Thomas Gainsborough’s mesmerising portrait of Miss Read, unseen in public since 1936 and last but not least an astonishing 17th Century sculpture by Adriaen de Vreis which has never been exhibited in public and is one of the great Christie’s discoveries of this generation.”
    Gimcrack on Newmarket Heath, with a Trainer, a Stable- Lad, and a Jockey by George Stubbs (1724-1806) is one of the most valuable Old Master paintings offered at auction. From the Woolavington Collection it is expected to realise in excess of £20 million on July 5.
    A further highlight is The Duke of Portland’s copy of the original edition of John James Audubon’s masterpiece, The Birds of America.  This will be offered in New York on January 20, 2012 and is estimated at $7-10 million.

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    A CORK CUP, A COVER AND A COUP FOR THE SILVER TRADE

    June 11th, 2011

    The Cork cup and cover by William Clarke. (click on image to enlarge)

    AN unrecognised and rare piece of Cork silver which changed hands for 3,500 dollars at auction in the United States last May 22 is now on the market for 150,000 euro. Catalogued as an early Continental ice bucket this silver cup and cover turned out to be a previously unrecorded piece by the Cork maker William Clarke.

    The makers mark and the rare turret mark which told the true story. (Click on image to enlarge)

    Made around 1710 the main problem with attribution was the rarity of the hallmark.  The double turret mark, based on the arms of the City of Cork, was used for a brief period 300 years ago.  The only known piece of silver by William Clarke with this mark is a Queen Anne wavy end hash spoon with large rat tail bowl c1710 from the Westropp Collection. This changed hands for £20,315 at Bonhams in 2003.
    Less than two dozen pieces of Cork silver with these turret marks are known.  The other pieces with this mark are usually made by Robert Goble Senior and Samuel Pantaine.
    The Dublin silver dealer William Crofton of L and W Duvallier describes this as the most important piece of Cork silver which he has ever known or held.  It was bought at the Thomaston Place Auction Galleries, Thomaston, Maine on Sunday, May 22 by the London silver trade.  Mr. Crofton is now offering the 12 3/4″ high cup which weighs 49.665 oz. for 150,000. It is under active offer by an international silver collector.

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    NEWLY DISCOVERED PORTRAIT OF CARMELITE MONK BY VAN DYCK AT SOTHEBY’S

    June 10th, 2011

    SIR ANTHONY VAN DYCK PORTRAIT OF A CARMELITE MONK. (copyright, Sotheby's). (Click on image to enlarge). UPDATE: IT MADE £713,250

    A newly discovered portrait by 17th Century Flemish painter Sir Anthony Van Dyck features at Sotheby’s sale of Old Master and British Paintings in London on July 6.  The intense and psychologically penetrating portrait of a young Carmelite monk is a hitherto unknown work, which Sotheby’s has discovered to have been painted by the youthful Van Dyck during the years he worked in Rubens’ studio.

    Early last year Sotheby’s Paris office did a routine valuation to appraise artwork. A painting of extraordinary quality which the family had owned for at least two centuries had always been known as the “Confesseur de Rubens”.  Experts say that while Rubens’ portraits are always formally composed, the current work, especially the way the young monk’s head is turned to one side, creates an impression of spontaneity.
    The brushwork in the picture, painted in oil on oak panel, is clearly legible. This is more reminiscent of Anthony Van Dyck when he worked in Rubens’ studio, than of his teacher. Specifically, the use of thick paint to denote highlights in the sitter’s habit is a characteristic of Van Dyck’s personal style at this date, and can be seen in a series of paintings the artist made of the Apostles.
    A large number of scholars have had the opportunity to study this picture at first hand. The consensus view is that it is by Van Dyck towards the end of the period during which he worked with Rubens in Rubens’ studio, circa 1617-1620.  It is assumed that Van Dyck painted this intense portrait in Rubens’ house in Antwerp.  It is estimated to make £600,000-£800,000.
    UPDATE: IT MADE £713,250

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    A DIAMOND TIARA FROM THE 1920’S

    June 10th, 2011

    A diamond tiara from the 1920's at Sotheby's. (click on image to enlarge) UPDATE: THIS MADE £277,250

    A diamond tiara from the 1920’s highlights Sotheby’s sale of fine jewels in London on July 13. Estimates in this 288 lot sale range from £3,000-55,000.  The tiara has an estimate of £35,000-55,000.

    There are contemporary and period jewels, spanning three centuries of workmanship and design with signed pieces by designers like Repossi, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany and Boucheron.  The entire sale is expected to raise more than £1.7 million.

    An opal and diamond corsage. (click on image to enlarge) UPDATE: THIS MADE £25,000

    An opal and diamond corsage from the mid-19th century highlights the 19th century jewel section.  It was formerly in the collection of Doña Maria Cristina of Bourbon, Princess of the Two Sicilies (Widow of King Ferdinand VII of Spain) Queen Regent of Spain.
    Designed as a series of ribbons and leaves and a central cabochon opal within a floral border, and set with cushion-shaped, circular-cut and rose diamonds, suspending a series of four tassels similarly set, it is estimated at £20,000-30,000.

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