John Astley c. 1756 (1724 – 1787) – Portrait of Thomas Pepper, of Ballygarth Co. Louth (1733-1790)
This portrait by John Astley of Thomas Pepper of Co. Louth made a hammer price of €11,000 at the opening day of Fonsie Mealy’s two day auction of contents from Newport House in Co. Mayo. It had been estimated at €3,000-€5,000. A pair of 19th century Meissen vases estimated at €4,000-€6,000 made €9,500 at hammer and a 1911-1915 bracelet set with 19 half sovereigns made €8,500. The 19th century Irish School Hillsborough family portraits made €7,000 at hammer as did Marnock’s Strand by Nathaniel Hone, a portrait of Thomas, Earle of Leghorn attributed to Pompeo Batoni and a Kilkee coastal scene by Nathaniel Hone. The auction continues at The Grace Hotel Westport and online today.