Auction results: Postcards from history and a stuffed baboon

What sold and what’s coming up in the auction rooms

A baboon taxidermy achieved €1,200 (€500-€600) at Usher Auction Rooms, Kells.
A baboon taxidermy achieved €1,200 (€500-€600) at Usher Auction Rooms, Kells.

Auction Results

Whytes, 38 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2 January 26th: Sean Kearns Postcard collection was a "white glove sale", where every lot sold. Totalling €130,000 excluding commission and VAT, highlights include Lot 404: Gruss Aus from the early 20th century, 600 cards €1,500 (€400-€600); Lot 397: mixed early 20th century, 450 cards €2,100 (€1,000-€1,500); and Lot 386: 10 real photographic cards of the Irish Civil War €720 (€120-€180).

Hegarty Antiques, Bandon, Co Cork, January 27th: Highlights from the fine art, furniture and jewellery sale include: Lot 10: John Lavery Portrait of Mrs Gertrude Coutts €5,200 (€4,000-€8,000); Lot 13: mahogany hunting table €3,200 (€800-€1,200) and the Arts and Crafts silver goblet by Omar Ramsden – Lot 65: €1,150 (€150-€300).

Usher Auction Rooms, Kells, Co Meath, January 28th: Highlights of the auction include Lot 452: silver three-piece tea service London 1901 €760 (€500-€800); Lot 487: inlaid bureau €1,200 (€500-€600); Lot 405: large Georgian Cork serving table €2,100 (€2,000-€3,000); and what must be the most unusual item in an auction so far this year, Lot 326: a baboon taxidermy €1,200 (€500-€600).

Mullen's Laurel Park, Bray, Co Wicklow, January 28th: Over 75 per cent of lots sold to many online overseas buyers, the highlights of the auction include: Lot 170: Dun Emer Rug €1,600 (€500-€1,000); Lot 286: brown hide library settee €1,500 (€1,500-€2,000); and Lot 233: pair of continental Sevres style gilt brass lidded urns €1,400 (€1,500-€2,000).

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Pink glass silver-topped decanter achieved €540 (€80-€120) at John Weldon.
Pink glass silver-topped decanter achieved €540 (€80-€120) at John Weldon.

John Weldon, Cow's Lane Temple Bar, Dublin, January 29th: The jewellery and decorative item sale saw 75 per cent of lots sold. Lot 93: a 2.46ct diamond solitaire €14,500 (€15,000-€18,000); Lot 93: a three-stone diamond on platinum with 3.73 carats in total – €13,800 (€14,000-€18,000); Lot 171: 18ct gold pocket watch from 1854 by John Donegan €850 (€400-€600); and the sleeper of the day was Lot 233: a pink glass silver-topped decanter which had an estimate of €80-€120 and sold for €540.

Sheppard's Auction Rooms, Durrow, Co Laois, January 29th: Over 95 per cent of lots sold and "unusually the top five lots were furniture", according to Philip Sheppard. Highlights include Lot 638: regency coramandel cabinet €1,650 (€800-€1,200); Lot 427: twin Italian four-poster beds €1,550 (€1,500-€2,000); and Lot 313: large oak farmhouse table €1,250 (€800-€1,200) with good value in Georgian furniture; Lot 214: mahogany low boy €320 (€300-€500); and Lot 416: inlaid mahogany table €180 (€200-€300).

Forthcoming Auctions

Saturday, February 2nd, Woodward Auctions, 26 Cook Street, Cork: Auction of contents of houses from Bishopstown and Kinsale, to include a copy of the signed front page of the Good Friday Agreement (€500-€600) See woodward.ie

Monday, February 4th, RJ Keighery, 27A William Street, Waterford: Contents of a manor house in Mooncoin to include period furniture, jewellery, art and rugs. See antiquesireland.ie

Tuesday, February 5th: Sotheby's, New Bond, Street London: The contents of The Fine Arts Society London, to include lots by Sir William Orpen Harry Clarke, Sir Peter Blake, Whistler and a version of the statue of Peter Pan in Hyde Park by George Frampton (£80,000-£120,000). See sothebys.com

Lot 825: Chesterfield armchair previously owned by Pat the Baker (€70-€120) at Matthews Auction Rooms.
Lot 825: Chesterfield armchair previously owned by Pat the Baker (€70-€120) at Matthews Auction Rooms.

Saturday, February 9th, and Sunday, February 10th, Matthews Auction Rooms, Duke Brothers Building, Kells, Co Meath: Over 1,000 lots, described by auctioneer Damien Matthews as "definitely an interesting auction" due to the sheer variety on offer which includes Georgian furniture, an Edwardian baby grand piano, Persian rugs, paintings, jewellery and silver. Of interest is Lot 146: a rosewood and brass inlaid scarf box (€200-€300) and a three-piece Chesterfield suite – to be sold in three separate lots, which were once the property of Pat Higgins aka Pat the Baker; Lot 823: burgundy leather sofa (€200-€300), and the chairs, Lots 824 and 825: €70-€120 each. Lot 292 is a Mont Blanc fountain pen with gold inlay and nib (€50-€80). Also included is a large selection of eastern and Chinese objects from an American collector.

Sunday, February 10th, DeVeres, The Conrad Hotel, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2: Clearance of 20th century and antique furniture with artworks by Michael Farrell, Patrick O'Reilly, John Noel Smith and Stephen McKenna. See deveres.ie.

Forthcoming fairs

Tomorrow, Sunday, February 3rd: Hibernian Antique Fair, Clayton Silver Springs Hotel, Cork, 11am.

Sunday, February 3rd: Antique Fair and Vintage Ireland, Ardboyne Hotel, Navan, Co Meath, 12-6pm.

Elizabeth Birdthistle

Elizabeth Birdthistle

Elizabeth Birdthistle, a contributor to The Irish Times, writes about property, fine arts, antiques and collectables