Sheppard’s labyrinthine salesroom resembles a Victorian grand bazaar ahead of next week’s three-day auction

NEED OPERA glasses? A 19th century wedding dress? Or, perhaps, a Royal Doulton figurine of a “Jovial Monk”? Hardly. But then “need” doesn’t quite explain the collecting bug which strikes people at various stages of life. And the oddest and most unexpected items appeal to collectors.

The first major art and antiques auction of 2012 takes place next week over three days at Sheppard’s in Durrow, beginning on Tuesday.

The catalogue – also available online – features all the aforementioned items alongside some very rare curiosities such as the ceremonial costumes worn by pageboys at Dublin’s Vice-Regal court 100 years ago. These intriguing items – being sold in three separate lots with various estimates of between €400 and €1,200 – are likely to attract most interest.

Viewing of the over 1,300 lots begins today in the Co Laois village and includes a free gallery talk at 3pm this afternoon by conservator Erica Devine, titled: “From mothballs to elbow grease: current practices in the care of fine art and antiques in the home”.

One of the most unusual and interesting lots in the sale is a gold and tortoiseshell snuff box presented as a gift by King George IV to Viscount Powerscourt of Co Wicklow during the royal visit to Ireland in 1821.

Gold-mounted tortoiseshell snuff boxes, supplied by London makers, Rundell, Bridge Rundell, were a favourite royal gift. The richness of their decoration varied according to the status of the recipient. A similar box to that being sold by Sheppard’s is in the Royal Collection in London. The box would originally have cost about £80 – an enormous sum for a gift – at that time. Sheppard’s has assigned the box an estimate of €10,000-€12,000.

Other lots to watch include: an “exceptional” 19th century satinwood marquetry and ormolu mounted card table, fronted by Sèvres porcelain plaques, €5,000-€7,000; a Regency-period terrestrial globe, by Thomas Harris and Co – globe makers to His Royal Highness, the Prince Regent, €2,000-€3,000; and a Chinese Qing dynasty cloisonné zoomorphic vase, €15,000-€25,000.

Less pricey lots – with quirky appeal – include: the journal of the Ashbrook Union Cricket Club (1846-1848), €800-€1,200; a first World War Royal Army Medical Corps equipment box bearing the name of a Major PJ Mulcahy, €100-€150; a 19th century copper bed-warmer made by J Hodges and Sons, 16 Westmoreland Street, Dublin, €100-€150; and, a rare 19th century Staffordshire holy water font, €80-€120.

Sheppard’s Grand Bazaar viewing begins today.