An early Fang reliquary. UPDATE: THIS MADE 34,000 AT HAMMER
An early Fang reliquary figure from early 19th century Gabon is, at €30,000-€50,000, the most expensively estimated lot at Sheppards two day sale in Durrow on November 25 and 26. More than 1,200 lots of fine and decorative art, silver, antique furniture and sculpture from Irish and international collections will come under the hammer.
Among them are a 15th century carved oak altarpiece, a landscape by James Arthur O’Connor, exceptional 18th century Dublin and London silver, a pair of Roman marble urns, a French clock garniture and a 19th century French ormolu perpetual calendar. Viewing is underway in Durrow and the catalogue is online.
A Georgian breakfront four door bookcase is among the leading lots at Marshs sale in Cork on November 29. A Regency Cork card table, a set of ten brass inlaid Regency Cork dining chairs, a Georgian sideboard, a French ebonised and gilt drawing room suite and a Regency card table are feature furniture lots. There is a large private collection of Irish and English silver along with dinner and tea services. The sale will be on view from November 26 and the catalogue is online.
19th century ormolu mounted marquetry and porcelain inlaid credenza at Sheppards. UPDATE: THIS MADE €3,800 AT HAMMER
A 15th century Northern European altarpiece is among the highlights at Sheppards sale in Durrow on November 25 and 26. More than 1,200 lots of fine and decorative art, silver, furniture and sculpture drawn from Irish and international collections will be on offer including a Qing Dynasty silk wall hanging from Abbeyleix House. The altarpiece is estimated at €25,000-€45,000.
An English Chippendale giltwood mirror in the rococo and chinoiserie style UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD
An array of wonderful choices – from a giltwood Chippendale mirror and a neo classical group of marble Italian putti to an Audemars Piguet royal oak offshore with an alligator leather strap and a pair of hexagonal gilt bronze hall lanterns – will face collectors at Sheppard’s Legacy of the Big House sale in Durrow from October 7-9.
The variety on offer at this three day sale of more than 1,700 lots ranges from a late 17th century Flemish verdure tapestry and a Cork flintlock blunderbuss with a brass barrel to an original film script for Lawrence of Arabia and a marine chronometer by Richard Hornby of Liverpool.
The most expensively estimated lots, at €30,000-€50,000 each, are the elaborate late 18th/early 19th century Chippendale giltwood mirror and the Audemars Piguet royal oak offshore which dates to the 2010’s. A 19th century Irish giltwood console table with verde antico marble top (€10,000-€15,000) and an Italian grand tour pietra dura topped coffee table (€8,000-€12,000) offer contrasting approaches to furniture but each one is laden with style. There is contrast too between a large 12 branch Waterford Crystal chandelier (€2,500-€3,500) and a pair of 19th century hexagonal gilt bronze hall lanterns (€8,000-€12,000).
An Irish gilt console table. UPDATE: THIS MADE 9,500 AT HAMMER
Less expensive but nonetheless seductive style is readily available at the other end of the financial scale. A cut crystal water jug, a silver plated rectangular tray, an Edwardian satinwood chest, a pair of Picasso ceramic plates and a large Japanese mixed metal vase are among a number of lots with top estimates of under €100. With estimates from €5 and €10 up this is an auction for people on any budget and curious collectors at all levels of the market. Collecting is not the exclusive preserve of those who can afford original Picasso artworks, it is a habit that can offer enjoyment for everyone.
Cleopatra after Guido Reni UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD
Drawn from houses at Longford Terrace in Dun Laoghaire and Rostrevor Terrace, Orwell Road in Dublin and other significant properties the sale kicks off with an 18th century Dublin brass fire fender (€1,400-€1,800). Among the early lots are a Famille Rose ewer (€100-€150), an elbow chair by Butler of Dublin (€300-€500), a Sevres plate with a Watteau inspired theme (€500-€800) and a grand tour specimen marble table (€3,000-€5,000). Lot 52 is a large scale portrait of Cleopatra with the asp after Guido Reni (€5,000-€8,000), lot 284 is a large 17th/18th century gothic carved giltwood frame (€14,000-€18,000), lot 450 is a 19th century gilt and patinated bronze figural music box (€2,500-€3,500) and lot 433 is a patinated bronze statue of Napoleon on horseback (€6,000-€9,000).
The catalogue is online and viewing in Durrow is from 10 am to 5 pm on today, tomorrow and Monday.
An 18th century blunderbuss marked “Cork” UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD
PAIR OF 19TH-CENTURY GAINSBOROUGH ARMCHAIRS IN BUTTONED LEATHER UPHOLSTERY
This handsome pair of library armchairs will come up as lot 238 at Sheppard’s three day sale in Durrow from October 7-10. The Legacy of the Big House sale will offer around 1700 lots of Irish and international art, furniture, sculpture, lighting, arms, books and decorative objects. Viewing gets underway in Durrow on October 4 and the catalogue is online. The chairs are estimated at €5,000-€8,000.
Thorvald Hellesen – Abstract Constructivist Composition (Study) UPDATE: THIS MADE 9,000 AT HAMMER
Viewing is underway in Durrow for Sheppards evening sale of important Irish art on September 16. With 263 lots the sale spans two centuries, from 19th century landscapes from artists like William Ashford (1746-1824) to bold contemporary work from artists like Felim Egan and Sean Scully. My Country, a c1956 work by Dan O’Neill is estimated at €20,000-€30,000 as is Ballycastle Bay, Co. Mayo (2021) by Donald Teskey. There is sculpture by John Behan, Sionbhan Bulfin, Rory Breslin and others, a box set by Banksy of the Walled Off Hotel in Bethlehem City, Palestine, a watercolour by Jean Dufy and a c1920’s Abstract Constructivist Composition (Study) by the Norwegian artist Thorvald Hellesen (1888-1937), an early adopter of Cubism in Scandinavia, influenced by Leger and the Parisian avant-garde.
William Gronow-Davis – Seefin Castle, Co. Galway at Sheppards. UPDATE: These were unsold
More than 60 years later the name John Profumo retains a whiff of scandal. The Tory politician resigned in 1963 after lying about his affair with Christine Keeler to the House of Commons – politicians caught out in a lie had to resign in those far off days – but ultimately rehabilitated himself through charity work in east London. It all adds interest to a pair of oils on board by William Gronow-Davis at Sheppards sale of Important Irish Art in Durrow on September 16.
The paintings of Seefin Castle near Craughwell were presented to Major Philip Profumo, younger brother of John, by the Galway Blazers. The presentation was made by members of the County Galway Hunt for the seasons 1966-69. Both paintings retain their original frames and presentation packs. The estimate is €2,000-€3,000.
The auction offers 263 lots of Irish and international art spanning two centuries. Top lots include a complete set of 14 Custom House Keystones representing Irish rivers by Rory Breslin along with art by William Ashford, Dan O’Neill, Peter Curling, Donald Teskey, James Brohan, James Humbert Craig and a watercolour by Jean Dufy. The catalogue is online and there will be viewing in Durrow from September 12 until September 15.
Donald Teskey – Ballycastle Bay, Co. Mayo (2021) UPDATE: THIS MADE 19,000 AT HAMMER
Sheppards will auction contents from this room at Royal Terrace West in Dun Laoghaire
Take a close look at this photograph of one of the reception rooms at 6 Royal Terrace West, Dun Laoghaire and you will undoubtedly agree that it is elegant, comfortable, lived in and loved. This was home to the late collectors Philip and Constance Murphy and Sheppards will auction their contents on July 15-16.
Because this room might not appear to be particularly fashionable in the current sense this auction offers a real opportunity for collectors. Take another look at the furniture in the room. The view from left to the middle of the picture reveals a Georgian sofa table, a Regency teapoy on tripod base in the window, a 19th century upholstered mahogany footstool, a mahogany open bookcase with fluted uprights and a three seater sofa.
At 2025 prices these five pieces are respectively estimated at €500-€800, €250-€350, €150-€250, €200-€300 and €300-€500. The lower estimates add up to just €1,400, the upper ones to €2,200. Even with the addition of fees of around 25%-30% including VAT prices like this represent startling value. Wonderful for buyers, not such good news for sellers.
Donegal runner designed by CFA Voysey UPDATE: THIS MADE €3,400 at hammer
At the very least the Murphys, as real collectors, will have experienced the joys of putting that room together over many years, of adding, subtracting and replacing pieces and greatly enjoying their home.
Continuing on our visual journey around this room we come across two Victorian armchairs, one with scroll arms, a Victorian Canterbury, a Victorian circular mahogany table, an Edwardian inlaid mahogany cabinet on stand, two upholstered wingback armchairs and a pair of Chinese red lacquer blanket chests doing duty as side tables.
The Victorian button back armchairs are each estimated at €200-€300, the Canterbury at €200-€300, the circular table at €400-€600, the cabinet on stand at €400-€600, the upholstered wingback armchairs at €150-€250 each and the pair of Chinese lacquered chests at €400-€600.
The front of a Georgian bureau bookcase can be glimpsed to the far right of the picture and this is estimated at just €500-€800.
A white Jambala Thangka or traditional Tibetan Buddhist painting on fabric. UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 301
The auction is on view at the classic Victorian terraced house at Royal Terrace West on today, tomorrow and Monday from 10 am to 5 pm on each day. The sale of just over 1,000 lots will take place in Durrow and online.
19th century French gilt mantle clock with Daniel in the Lion’s Den. UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD
This group of gold US Indian Head coins made €10,000 at hammer at Adams.
All that glisters is not gold is an aphorism that collectors need to be aware of always, especially now. In these uncertain times there is nothing remotely uncertain about the strong demand for a precious metal that is a long term hedge against inflation and falling values.
Always a safe haven for money in a stormy climate gold – headed by a group of nine American gold eagle ten dollar Indian head coins from 1926 – made up no less than eight of the top ten lots at Adams Jewellery Box sale in Dublin on June 24. They were the top lot of the auction and made €10,000 at hammer. A collection of 26 gold half sovereigns made €7,500, a group of 12 gold sovereigns made €6,500, 23 Victorian half sovereigns made €6,000 and other gold coins in the top ten made hammer prices of €6,000, €5,500 and €5,000.
A 1913 centrepiece by West and Son with Celtic Revival detailing at Sheppards. UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD
Where all that leaves everything else on the auction market in Ireland right now is an open question. All sorts of collectibles are selling well, Irish art continues to be a mainstay, demand for antique furniture remains pretty much in the doldrums and demand across the board can best be described as variable.
House sales are always a draw. Sheppards will offer contents from a classic Victorian house at 6 Royal Terrace in the leafy suburbs of Dun Laoghaire on July 15 and 16. There will be much interest in the collection of lawyer Philip Murphy who died last year. His father J.T. Murphy served as a Labour Party TD for west Cork from 1923 until his sudden death in 1949 at which point he was Minister for Local Government in the John A Costello government.
Philip Murphy and his late wife Constance were collectors of everything from Killarney ware and antique clocks to silver, Arts and Crafts carpets and oriental art. Among the prime lots in the sale are an 18th century Irish ebonised bracket clock by Graydon, Dublin (€4,000-€6,000), a Donegal runner by C.F.A. Voysey (€3,000-€6,000), a Guangxu lime glazed bowl (€3,000-€6,000), a pair of Ottoman flintlock pistols (€2,000-€3,000), a West and Son Irish silver Celtic Revival centrepiece from 1913 (€2,000-€3,000), a Killarney games box (€1,400-€1,800), two Killarney writing boxes and a Killarney ware box, each estimated at €800-€1,200 and a 19th century marine chronometer by Thomas Roberts, Liverpool (€4,000-€6,000).
A Warming Glow by Mark O’Neill at Aidan Foley’s auction.
Art by Mark O’Neill, Graham Knuttel, Markey Robinson, Louis le Brocquy and John Butler Yeats will feature at Aidan Foley’s auction at 6 pm on both next Monday and Tuesday evening (July 7 and 8). This is a sale of art, antique furniture, garden statuary and collectibles offering everything from a Georgian oak coffer and a Killarney wood trinket box to Victorian games, tea and dining tables and Oriental rugs and runners.
A double weight Vienna wall clock in walnut is estimated at just €200-€400, as is an 18th century oval drop leaf dining table and a Victorian parquetry inlaid side table. Tribal art is always of interest and a large carved African mask is estimated at just €60-€100. Choices range from a coromandel wood games box ((€60-€80) and a vintage Babycham dish for nibbles (€40-€80) to a pair of large blue and white platters (€200-€300) and a Tiffany style table lamp (€200-€250). The auction is on view in Doneraile on today, tomorrow and Monday.
A selection of the jewellery on offer at Matthews in Kells.
Should you decide to go in search of gold you will find it at Matthews sale in Kells on tomorrow and Monday. Lot 538 is a US Liberty double eagle 1903 gold 20 dollar coin (€1,500-€2,500). A Queen Elizabeth II gold sovereign is estimated at €400-€700 and a 1905 half sovereign is estimated at €200-€300. The top lot is an Art Deco diamond link bracelet mounted in platinum (€20,000-€30,000) and the sale offers a wide selection of desirable pieces.
One of a pair of stone sculptures of Kinsale hounds UPDATE: THESE WERE UNSOLD
A monumental pair of stone sculptures of Kinsale hounds might be a tad over the top for your average apartment entrance but with a mansion, a castle or even a large imposing garden it is another story entirely. The Great Danes, in the style of the favourite hunting hound of the 25th Lord Kingsale, John de Courcy (1717-1776) are among a number of remarkable lots at Sheppards annual Glantelwe Gardens sale in Durrow on June 24.
A keen deer hunter Lord Kingsale lived at Old Head Castle and imported a pair of hunting dogs to help him deal with wolves. It is claimed the Kinsale hounds killed the last wolf in Ireland.
A pair of classical style terracotta campana urns UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD
Sheppards auction, on view from today at Glantelwe Gardens along the banks of the River Erkina in Co. Laois, offers more than 600 lots of statuary, sculpture and architectural pieces. Here you will find everything from a monumental Italian bronze fountain with four classically draped female figures (€15,000-€25,000) to a bronze patinated cannon (€3,000-€5,000), a contemporary bronze sculpture of boxing hares (€2,500-€3,500), a cast iron frog ornament (€50-€80) and a 19th century horse drawn carriage formerly owned by actress Maureen O’Hara.
With classical and contemporary statues, moulded stone urns, cast and wrought iron furniture, architectural salvage sourced from an Irish demesne, antique follies and ornamental ironwork this sale should be a mecca for collectors, gardeners and designers in search of a show stopping centrepiece or a discreet focal point.
A large green patinated bronze sculpture of Mercury, a pair of 19th century arched entrance gates, a set of six cast iron standard urns, a pair of Italianate stone dogs on plinths, neo-classical moulded urns, a pair of large Medici lions in composite stone, a 19th century cast iron bistro set and even a monumental bronze sculpture of a jockey on horseback all have the capacity to inspire.
The Kinsale hounds will set you back an estimated €8,000-€12,000.
A 19th century horse drawn carriage owned by Maureen O’Hara. UPDATE: THIS LOT WAS WITHDRAWN
One of a pair of hide upholstered Chesterfield settees which made a hammer price of €11,500
The two day Great Irish Interiors sale at Sheppards in Durrow got off to a flying start today when a pair of hide upholstered roll back Chesterfield settees sold for a hammer price of €11,500. Estimated at €2,500-€3,500 they were the subject of a bidding battle between a buyer in the room and another on the internet. The auction continues today and tomorrow.
