Art deco furniture – from the early 20th century – is in demand these days and features among the top lots in Mealy's midsummer auction on Monday (July 31st). A French dining room table and chairs look well together in the saleroom but are, in fact, by different makers and will be auctioned separately. First up, Lot 377 is a set of eight birch art deco dining chairs, made in Paris circa 1927 by André Arvos, each covered in ivory fabric, estimated at €3,000-€5,000 [see pic]. Lot 328, is a nine feet long ebony dining table dating from the late 1920s by the renowned furniture designers, Dominique André Domin and Marcel Genevriere, estimated at €8,000-€15,000 [see pic] .
The sale has more than 600 lots and viewing is open tomorrow, Sunday (July 30th), in the saleroom at Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny, from noon-5pm. Among other furniture highlights are: Lot 226, a late 19th-century Gothic Revival oak library steps (€1,500-€1,800); and, for the garden, Lot 306, “an extremely heavy” pair of Coalbrookdale-style cast-iron and pierced benches €1,000-€1,500).
Art highlights include Lot 552, A Wounded Stag, a large bronze study, on an oval base and marble plinth, by the English 19th-century sculptor Holme Cardwell (€2,500-€3,500); and, a pastel-on-paper, Wanderers, depicting a young boy with two lambs walking across a field, by the artist Laura Elizabeth Rachel Hope (1858-1929), estimated at €500-€700.
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Among a colourful selection of porcelain are Lot 280, a writing slope decorated with Sèvres-style panels (€3,000-€3,500) [see pic]; and Lot 53, a 114-piece, 1950s Italian dinner and coffee service in cobalt blue with chased gilt bands made by Rigo & Co of Venice (€700-€800).
Collectors of historical and political memorabilia will be interested in Lot 570, a very unusual antique model – Daniel O'Connell meeting with a group of Catholic peasants – the painted figures moulded from clay and wax, on an oval base, under a glass dome, 8 inches (20cm) high. The estimate is €500-€800. [see pic]
Men who go to Royal Ascot and need the right head-gear will be interested in Lot 621, "a fine Irish top-hat" by Morgan of 9 Grafton Street – (Francis Morgan was a famous hatter in 19th-century Dublin) – in its original fitted leather case. The hat is in excellent condition – although the case is a little the worse for wear – and it's estimated to fetch €100-€200.
Catalogue and online bidding details at mealys.ie
