antiquesandartireland.com

A set of 12 Irish George II embossed bird pictures by Samuel Dixon c1755 is a highlight at Christie’s 500 Years of Decorative Arts Europe sale in London on September 23. In black and gilt-japanned frames each is printed with a dedication on the reverse.

The paintings depict a red and blue macaw, a grey-finch and wax bill, with dedication to the Countess of Carrick and inscribed `Left hand of Wall 7′, blue, red and green macaw, Indian redstart and a sparrow of paradise, with dedication to Lady Castlecomer and inscribed `Right of the Mirror 9′, chaffinch perched upon a branch, with butterflies, convolvulus, snowdrops and other flowers with dedication to the Countess of Meath goldfinch perched upon a branch, with a honeysuckle, ranunculus, peony and other flowers, with dedication to the Duchess of Dorset, summer duck, red-billed whistling duck and shells, with dedication to the Countess of Hillsborough and inscribed `Sam Jones Pauls Snr’ and numbered `2′, Indian bee-eater, black and white Indian starling and a Brazilian finch, with dedication to Lady Howth, black-billed whistling duck, purple water-hen and corals, with dedication to the Countess of Antrim and inscribed `Right over chimney’ and `Pauls Churchyard, London’, white-headed parrot, with grapes and vine leaves, with dedication to the Countess of Kildare, canary-bird and wasp among anemones, polyantheus, hyacinths, tulips and jessamin, with dedication to the Countess of Cork, cock butcher-bird above a floral still life of roses, poppies and ranunculus with dedication to the Duchess of Hamilton, bullfinch, blue titmouse and a red admiral, with peaches and apricots, with dedication to the Countess Dowager Kildare and inscribed `Over the Mirror 8′, and green-winged dove perched on a stump and a cock and hen red-throated humming bird at nest with dedication to Lady Molesworth and inscribed `… LONDON’

The estimate for the lot if 10,000-15,000 sterling. They are among a election of 50 British and Irish embossed bird pictures from a 150 piece private collection by Samuel Dixon, Isaac Spackman and William Hayes in a sale of over 300 lots.

SOTHEBY’S has reported improved revenues for 2010. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, auction and related revenues improved $118.8 million, or 79%, and $168.4 million, or 86%, when compared to the same periods in 2009.  This is almost entirely due to an increase in auction commission revenues stemming from strong sales around the world during the period. Total aggregate auction sales were $1.6 billion in the second quarter and $2.2 billion in the first half, an increase of 110% and 116%, respectively. Combined sales of Impressionist and Contemporary Art increased $428 million, or 154%, and $684 million, or 188%, in the second quarter and first half of the year, respectively.

“These are excellent results and are indicative of the improving art market we have been experiencing since last autumn,” said Bill Ruprecht, President and Chief Executive of Sotheby’s. “They reflect strong revenues coupled with discipline on the expense side and we will continue to focus on both going forward.

“As we put our autumn sales together, our goal, as ever, is to find the right balance in presenting great works, fresh to the market and attractively estimated, particularly as the global economy remains uncertain,” Mr. Ruprecht continued. “We are encouraged by the level and quality of our consignments we have gathered thus far for our sales worldwide.”

CHRISTIE’S announced worldwide sales of £1.71 billion for the first six months of 2010, up 46% on last year’s figure of £1.2 billion for the same period.  Figures include the buyer’s premium. Edward Dolman, ceo at Christie’s said: “Global confidence in the art market has been evident throughout the first half of 2010 and we expect it to continue with our autumn sales. The power of great art sourced from notable collections has driven sales”.

“In 2009, the challenge of supply contrasted with buyer demand leading to consistent, high sold rates. In 2010 this has led to increased vendor confidence and at the higher end of the marketplace we have seen a number of key sales setting new price levels”.

The results reflect the growing importance of Asia, where a significant return on investment is seen.  The investment in technology has led to increased involvement from global clients.

“We continue to see strength and depth in both vendor confidence and buyer activity despite the broader economic context” the ceo added. “After one of the most successful half years in our history, we approach the second half with cautious but optimistic expectations of continued art market strength.”

Some of the biggest names in contemporary Irish art will feature at an evening sale Castletownshend in west Cork on Wednesday, August 11.More than 70 paintings, prints, photoworks and sculptures will be auctioned to help fund a gallery space at the new West Cork Arts Centre in Skibbereen in memory of the late senior counsel Jim O’Driscoll.

He was a passionate collector and a supporter of Irish art and artists. A total of 81 works from his collection were sold at Whyte’s in Dublin in May. (see posts on antiquesandartireland.com for May 25 and June 1).

The artists who donated works to the Castletownshend sale are Jo Ashby, Basil Blackshaw, Johnny Blain, Brian Bourke, Cormac Boydell, Cecily Brennan, Campbell Bruce , Michael Bulfin, Katie Burgess, Bernadette Burns, Tom Climent, Pat Connor, Barrie Cooke, Maud Cotter, Dorothy Cross, William Crozier, Jill Dennis, John Desmond, Maurice Desmond, John Doherty, Mickey Donnelly, Michael Farrell , Bridget Flannery, Tom Fitzgerald, Mike Fitzharris, Martin Gale, Rachel Gallagher, Tim Goulding, Charles Harper, Pat Harris, Etain Hickey, Ian Humphreys, John Kingerlee, Matt Lamb, Brian Lalor, Jason Lee, Mary Lohan, John Minihan, James McCarthy, Donna McNamara, Séan McSweeney, Cóilín Murray, John Philip Murray, Sinéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Hughie O’Donoghue, Gwen O’Dowd, James O’Leary, Jane O’Malley, Tony O’Malley, Majella O’Neill Collins, Margaret O’Sullivan, Peter Perry, Jim Savage, Patrick Scott, Terry Searle, Maria Simonds-Gooding, John Simpson, Jacqueline Stanley, Donald Teskey, Christine Thery, Jim Turner, Charles Tyrrell and Sarah Walker.

Galleries and collectors supporting the auction are Nuala Fenton of the Fenton Gallery (Basil Blackshaw), Taylor Gallery (Michael Farrell), John P. Quinlan of the Vanguard Gallery (Eamon Coleman), Catherine Hammond Gallery (Hughie O’Donoghue), Fergus O’Mahony, Warren Gallery (Matt Lamb), Marion O’Driscoll (Maurice Desmond), Angela Flowers (Tim Meara), Catherine Field (Brigitte Saflund) and Limerick Printmakers (Limerick Printmakers’ Box Set).

The artworks to be auctioned can be viewed at West Cork Arts Centre, North Street, Skibbereen from Thursday  August 5 to Tuesday August 10 from 10.00am to 5.00pm. (On Sunday August 8 by appointment only).