Interior designers often make bold decisions by placing antique pieces of furniture in modern homes, thus bringing an air of gravitas to what might otherwise be minimalist sleek interiors. And with remote working now a well-established part of most office workers’ weekly routines, creating a stylish, dedicated work space in a living or diningroom is often preferable to working from a spare bedroom.
But where to find such furniture?
Auction rooms are often the best place to find a desk that is both functional and elegant when not in use. Adam’s Library Collection auction on Tuesday, April 29th, and deVeres’ 20th century contemporary art and design auction on the same day are both excellent places to look for such pieces.
Take, for example, the George IV pale mahogany writing desk at Adam’s (€6,000-€8,000), which is designed for both sitting and standing at. According to Adam’s, this type of bureau writing desk was supplied to accountancy firms and gentlemen’s libraries in the 18th century by the English furniture making firm Gillows of Lancaster and London.
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For those who prefer a more slimmed-down writing desk – with little room for clutter in a paper-free working environment – the rosewood model 530 desk designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Milan-based manufacturer, Bernini (€2,000-€3,000) in the deVeres auction is an option.
An Italian architect and designer, Frattini was an important figure whose 50-year career contributed significantly to the global profile of the Made-in-Italy brand in the 20th century.
For those who like a daytime nap without retreating to a bedroom, the Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Barcelona day bed (€6,000-€8,000), also at deVeres, might be tempting. With a hardwood frame and tubular steel legs, its brown leather panels were created from a single hide. Born in Aachen, Germany, Mies van der Rohe was part of the Bauhaus school of modernist art, design and architecture. He emigrated to America in the late 1930s and settled in Chicago.
The Coco Chanel wheat table (€600-€900) is another standout piece in the deVeres auction. The table – made from a gilt metal sheaf of wheat with a glass top – is similar to one designed for the French fashion designer by jeweller Robert Goossens, inspired by the drawing of wheat by the Spanish artist Salvadore Dali. Also at deVeres is an Italian rosewood bar table with a fitted vinyl turntable, and hidden compartments with lift up lids (€800-€1,200).
Rory Guthrie from deVeres says there are two types of buyers of mid-century modern furniture in Ireland.
“One is the collector, who is very much looking for signed, stamped pieces or those made by the licensed manufacturer. These are produced to the artist’s original design. The second type of buyer is one looking for something a little different in a saturated furniture market that offers generic styles, or flat pack.”
Guthrie says Ireland has a poor reputation for allowing reproduction copies of original furniture. “Some very low-quality replica pieces are widely sold here, often described as ‘Eames style’ or ‘in the style of’. These are neither original nor licensed works, yet they come with a high price tag attached,” he explains.
According to Guthrie, replicas have little or no resale value. The deVeres auction has a number of licensed pieces (each stamped and labelled) in its design auction by designers including Eileen Gray, Arne Jacobsen, Charles Eames, Mies van der Rohe and Finn Juhl. The pieces for sale come from collectors in Ireland and mainland Europe, particularly France and Italy.
Meanwhile, Anne-Louise Mitchell from Victor Mitchell Auctioneers in Roscrea, Co Tipperary, is excited about the auction of the belongings of the late Mabel Wallace, the former owner, with her late husband, Hume Wallace, of Ballincor House, Shinrone, Co Offaly.
While Ballincor House and Estate was sold in 2006, the family is now selling much of Wallace’s remaining antiques. An avid fan of the Ormond Hunt and point-to-point racing, there are plenty of equestrian prints, accessories and ornaments among the lots for sale. Also, eclectic collectors will be interested in more than 40 lots of “Grand Tour” souvenirs, as well as ivory games board (€300-€500).
Fun of the fair
Finally, Victor Mee auctioneers in Cavan has some unusual items in its Spring Carnival and Collectables sale on April 29th and 30th from 6pm each day. With an established reputation for selling advertising memorabilia and signs, the auctioneers have taken a step further this time, with items for sale from fairgrounds in Warrenpoint, Co Down, and Buncrana, Co Donegal.
The items for auction include fairground rides (a child’s carousel ride for €600-€1,200 and a fairground motorcycle for €200-€400), as well as antique puppets and marionettes. The 1,200 lots can be viewed tomorrow from noon to 5pm, and on Monday from 10am-5pm.
Adams.ie; deveres.ie; victormitchell.com; victormeeauctions.ie
What did it sell for?
Seán Keating, The Trinity
Estimate €10,000-€15,000
Hammer price €13,000
Auction house Adam’s
Silver replica of Ardagh Chalice
Estimate €5,000-€7,000
Hammer price €5,000
Auction house Adam’s
Meat cupboard
Estimate €500-€800
Hammer price €460
Auction house Adam’s
Land Burn, Tim Goulding
Estimate €500-€700
Hammer price €1,400
Auction house Morgan O’Driscoll
Victorian writing desk by Arthur Jones (c1870)
Estimate £4,000-£6,000 (€4,659-€7,000)
Hammer price £15,120 (€17,614)
Auction house Woolley & Wallis
