The autumn auctions season at Adam’s in St Stephen’s Green gets under way tomorrow (Sunday, September 20th) with a “fine period interiors” sale at 11.30am. Some 400 lots of furniture, paintings, silver and decorative arts will go under the hammer. The first lot is a classic collectible, “a mid-Victorian burr walnut cased ladies travelling toilet set – the lift top with inner mirror opening to reveal a fitted interior, complete with silver-topped clear glass jars and boxes, hallmarks for London 1873”, estimated at €400-€600.
Among the furniture is lot 164, "a Strachan of Dublin mid-Victorian rosewood circular dining table, it is (€3,000-€5,000) while the top lot of silver is lot 76, a Victorian claret jug, London 1878, with makers mark Stephen Smith (€2,000-€3,000). The top lot in the auction is a portrait by 18th-century Irish artist Hugh Douglas Hamilton (1739-1808).
The oval A Portrait of Mary Preston (in pastel and crayon) depicts the youngest daughter of the Hon Henry Hamilton, who married Nathaniel Preston of Swainston, Co Meath, in 1764.
Adam's said the painting last appeared at auction in London almost 90 years ago when it sold at Christie's for 18 guineas and was bought by "John Maher, Bloomfield, Enniscorthy" in Co Wexford whose descendants are now selling it. The estimate is €5,000-€8,000.
Adam’s is located at 26 St Stephen’s Green. Viewing Saturday, September 19th, 11am-5pm. Online bidding is via the-saleroom.com
