Want to acquire a knowledgeable grasp of the vast histories of painting, architecture and interiors, silver, glass and furniture? Or maybe you would like to build on a patchy understanding of these areas?
The Institute of Professional Auctioneers' Diploma course in Fine and Decorative Arts provides an intensive but comprehensive gallop through the ages.
The emphasis, says course presenter Liam O'Donnell, is on identifying and appreciating art objects in their historical context.
"The course has a visual and sensory approach. It's about the physical enjoyment of handling an art object and understanding the influences that formed it," he says.
"Some of those who do the course are hoping to achieve a career change, others are school leavers or art college graduates, some work in fine art auction rooms, galleries, antique shops or stately homes, but the majority just do it for their own pleasure."
The only course of its type in this country, there are 22 places available this year. IPAV are now taking enrolment for the one year course which begins on October 8th and costs £2,350 (€2,984).
O'Donnell describes it as a foundation course "which opens the door to other things."
The furniture course is taught by Roxane Moorhead, who owns an antique shop on Frances Street, in Dublin 8. Her segment trawls through furniture history from the early 17th century to the 1920s art deco period. By the end of the academic year, students should be able to identify pieces by the great designers like Thomas Chippendale, George Hepplewhite and William Kent and know the work of Irish designers like Arthur Jones, whose work was seen at the Great Exhibition of 1851 and Mack, William and Gibton whose furniture is in Dublin Castle .
Former Sotheby's employee and author of Irish Glass, Mary Boydell, lectures primarily on 18th and 19th century Irish and English glass.
Lecturer Christopher Moore runs through the history of architecture and interiors from ancient Greek and Rome to the present day.
Other facets of the course include Irish and English silver of the 18th century and the main movements of European art history from the 18th to the 20th century.
No formal academic qualifications are expected but prospective students will have to show an interest in the art world. Grades are based on continual assessment, and an end-of-term written thesis.
For further details contact IPAV at 01 678 56 85.
