Hamilton Osborne King is describing as examples of "true country-house clutter" the 750-plus lots being sold next Tuesday by the auction house at Knock Abbey, Co Louth. The property was recently sold, having been home to the same family of O'Reillys for the past two centuries; it was originally constructed by the Bellews in the 14th century. Earlier this century, a Victorian house built onto the old castle was burnt by the IRA, with the loss of many family possessions.
Thankfully, not everything was destroyed at that time and amid the "clutter" now being sold are some examples of Irish furniture, such as a very typical mahogany side table from the 19th century, its frieze centred on a large bearded male mask and the legs ending in double claw feet (estimate £3,000-£5,000). Similar feet, this time below rope twist legs, can be found on an Irish mahogany cross-banded centre table, circa 1825, (£2,000-£3,000) and again on an early 19th century Irish mahogany sideboard, its galleried back with broken pediment (£1,500-£2,000). Also Irish are two other early 19th-century pieces, a mahogany serving table with rope twist apron and legs (£1,000-£1,500) and a mahogany sofa table with rounded ends (£1,500-£2,000). Irish too are a late 19th-century mahogany coat stand by Jones & Co of Dublin (£600-£1,000), an 18th-century mahogany fold-over tea table (£1,000-£1,500), a mahogany consul (circa 1830), with graduated shelving (£2,000-£3,000), a late 18th-century mahogany three-tier dumb waiter (£800-£1,200), a mahogany rectangular tilt-top supper table, circa 1830, (£1,000-£1,500) and a set of six mahogany dining chairs, circa 1840 (£1,000-£1,500). There is plenty of non-Irish furniture as well, of course. Among the most interesting of these is a late 18th-century mahogany toilet table, complete with fitted mirror and compartments; this is expected to make £2,000-£3,000. An early 19th-century flame mahogany drop-leaf table carries a pre-sale estimate of £1,500-£2,000. The latter ought to make a better price than this however, since it carries a brass plaque, stating: "This table was the property of Charles S. Parnell, bought at Avondale, 11th August, 1901."
One of the highest estimates in the sale is held by an early 19th-century breakfront secretaire bookcase, which it is hoped will fetch £6,000-£10,000.
Curiosities in the sale include a pair of carved polychromed limewood heads of saints - believed to have been brought hope from the Napoleonic Peninsular Wars by an officer of the O'Reilly family - which carries an estimate of £1,000-£1,500, and several pieces of mid-16th century Dutch painted glass, with estimates between £200 and £800. The latter's provenance, according to family history, can be traced back to Maolmordha, son of Philip O'Reilly, who in 1653 surrendered Lough Outher Castle and went into exile in the Low Countries.
