View a French village in Howth

‘View of a French Village’ by Armenian-French painter Arsène Chabanian
‘View of a French Village’ by Armenian-French painter Arsène Chabanian

Drum's Auctioneers in Malahide will hold an interesting house-contents auction in Dublin tomorrow, Sunday afternoon (July 28th) at Drynan Lodge, Old Carrickbrack Road, Baily, Howth at 2pm. The Arts and Crafts style house was home to the late Miss Peggy Parker, who died this year at the age of 89.

Auctioneer Denis Drum said she was "an avid follower of the Arts and Crafts movement" and that "nothing had changed in the house, which features William Morris wallpaper since it was built 100 years ago." The auction includes pictures, antique furniture, pottery, porcelain, glassware and garden statuary.

Among a selection of paintings is an attractive pastel titled View of a French Village, measuring 40cm by 50cm (16in by 20in), and estimated modestly at €1,200-€1,500. The artist was Arsène Chabanian (1864-1949), an Armenian painter who settled in Paris where he achieved success mainly as a painter of maritime scenes and was appointed a Chevalier of Légion d'Honneur for his contribution to French cultural life. Quite how this picture ended up in Howth is a classic auction mystery.