Now and again, the contents of a house with an illustrious past come up for auction. Such is the case with Sealawn, a late Georgian villa on Shielmartin Road in Sutton, Co Dublin, whose entire contents will be sold by Sheppard’s Irish auction house in Durrow, Co Laois, from March 11th-13th.
The house was previously owned by John Pentland Mahaffy, a Greek scholar and professor of ancient history at Trinity College Dublin, and later, Provost of that university.
Although better known for his friendship with Oscar Wilde and his trenchant opposition to Irish independence, Mahaffy also founded the precursor of the Irish Georgian Society – namely, the Georgian Society – in 1908 to save what was then described as colonial architecture.
Ironically, in the 1960s, the house overlooking Dublin Bay was set for demolition when renowned conservation architect Austin Dunphy saved it and restored it over the next 15 years.
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Now the property, which came on the market last year asking €2.5 million, has been sold, and the contents given to Sheppard’s for auction.
Items of interest include a set of 11 prints of Dublin in the style of James Malton (€500-€800). Pat Murray, Irish Georgian Society board member, says that the original set of 24 Malton prints would have been hung in halls and alongside stairs in Georgian houses throughout Dublin.
“James Malton has a very distinctive style and his prints were ubiquitous and reproduced over the years,” says Murray.
Sheppard’s also has three sets of eight aqua-tinted coloured prints by the lesser known 18th century British engraver Thomas Milton (€500-€800/€1,000-€1,500).
The Sheppard’s auction has three side cabinets which neatly demonstrate different continental styles. First, the Sheraton mahogany and marquetry cabinet with two glass doors (€1,500-€2,500) has the slight, elegant pieces inspired by classical architecture and made by London furniture designer Thomas Sheraton (1751-1806). The second is a 19th century Dutch marquetry side cabinet (€1,400-€1,800), which is much sturdier but equally interesting in its inlays and pageant figures on the front doors. And third, a French art deco drinks cabinet (€3,000-€5,000), with a silver-painted floral exterior and mirrored and fitted interior.
[ Do auctioneers have favourites among items they sell? Yes, and here they areOpens in new window ]
There is everything from mirrors to long case clocks, silverware, Belleek china, brass fenders to musical instruments (mostly guitars but also a tuba, and some violins) and even a four poster bed in the Sheppard’s auction. There are also quite a few Persian rugs and an early 20th century rug from the Amritsar region of northwest India (€4,000-€6,000).
A modern leather chrome armchair with a concave ribbed seat (€2,500-€3,500) will no doubt peak interest, as will the Damien Hirst acrylic on paper, Saturn Spin (€2,000-€3,000), which was painted to celebrate the opening of Requiem, a retrospective of works by the English artist from 1990 to 2008 at the Pinchuk Art Centre in Kyiv, Ukraine, in 2009.
First-time buyers
Meanwhile, the Fonsie Mealy auction in Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny, has lots of good value for those setting up home for the first time. Auctions, by their nature, appeal to those with eclectic tastes, whether living in a modern home or a period property, and interior designers often say that the most inspired homeowners pick pieces from different periods to furnish their houses.
A few bargains spotted in the vast catalogue are a 19th century gilt wood overmantel mirror (€200-€300). Although designed to go over ornate fireplaces, these mirrors can look good in hallways of new homes. A 19th century French mahogany marble-top chest of drawers (€300-€400), and a 17th century style elm lift-top chest with panelled front and sides (€100-€200), would also fit very well in a modern home.
Meanwhile, also in Mealy’s auction, there is a large art nouveau leaded stained glass panel (€100-€150), which could be a key feature in any interior.
Finally, Ross’s auctioneers in Belfast is selling the surplus contents of two historic houses: Ashbrook House, the home of the Beresford-Ash family since the mid 16th century; and Hollybrook House, Co Antrim, whose owners previously lived in Castle Grove outside Letterkenny, Co Donegal.
Items in The Country House Attic Sale can be viewed in Ross’s auction rooms in Belfast, with a closing date of March 19th. Included in the sale are a pair of 18th century engravings of the Giant’s Causeway; a Russian porcelain tea service brought back from St Petersburg in the 19th century; and an Edwardian doll’s house.
Speaking about the items from Hollybrook, Daniel Clarke of Ross’s says that many collectables “were never unpacked [from Castle Grove] and have remained in tea chests for over 40 years”. Of note is a large collection of early silver (mostly Irish) from the Brooke and Grove families.
sheppards.ie; fonsiemealy.ie; ross.ie
What did it sell for?
19th century gilt wood mirror
Estimate: €2,000-€3,000
Hammer price: €2,400
Auction house: Adam’s
French ‘Boulle’ side cabinets
Estimate: €1,500-€2,000
Hammer price: €750
Auction house: Adam’s
Pietra dura marble table top
Estimate: €4,000-€8,000
Hammer price: €33,600
Auction house: Victor Mee
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