All eyes were on a sale in Laois last week, with a packed auction room and internet bids from around the world, writes MICHAEL PARSONS
THE biggest antiques auction of the year finally took place this week after twice being postponed due to inclement weather. Sheppard’s three-day Dublin and provincial sale saw some 1,500 lots go under the hammer at the saleroom in Durrow, Co Laois.
The much-anticipated sale of the remainder of a Co Carlow family’s inherited collection of Chinese porcelain – with most items carrying low estimates of €50-€150 – produced some notable surprises. The top price was achieved by a little teapot made during the reign of Emperor Yongzheng, who ruled China between 1723 and 1735. It was bought, for €50,000, by a telephone bidder in Beijing.
A green-glazed chrysanthemum dish sold for €31,000 to a private collector from Dublin. And a blue-and-white bowl depicting “boys at play” sold for €16,500 to an internet bidder in China.
Among those attending the auction on Thursday afternoon was Alan Fletcher, a UCD professor of English who collects Chinese ceramics. He thought prices were high “because of the internet” which allowed collectors around the world to participate in the sale. He said “the eyes of the world were on Durrow today”. He bought a set of nine famille verte dishes and declared: “That’s the Christmas shopping done”.
Earlier in the sale, the top-selling furniture lots included an early 18th century Irish gilt console table which made €10,500 and a George III mahogany breakfront bookcase, €10,200. Both prices were in the mid-range of estimates.
The auction also featured paintings from Kilcooley Abbey House in Co Tipperary. Sheppard’s said that two portraits depicted the aristocratic Irish ancestors of Samantha Cameron, wife of the British Prime Minister, David Cameron. The portrait of Sir Charles Herbert Sheffield sold for €3,800 and that of his wife, Lady Margaret Diana Sheffield, for €3,500. Both had estimates of €1,500-€2,500.
Somewhere in Ireland next Saturday night, Santa will deliver two rather special gifts. An antique wooden rocking horse (estimate €400-€600) sold for €1,000; a large doll’s house sold for €2,700 (estimate €3,000-€5,000). But one goose, although stuffed, won’t get cooked next weekend. The glass-cased item of taxidermy sold for €250 (estimate €300-€500).
Royal Doulton figurines proved to be a big hit: all six of Henry VIII’s wives, with estimates from €40-€60, were sold with Catherine of Aragon the most popular, at €200. Well, the sale did take place in the old Queen’s County. But the portly porcelain king himself made a whopping €620 – over ten times the top estimate. Presumably by a bidder from the King’s County – Offaly – next door.
