Morgan O'Driscoll has some useful and beautiful Victorian furniture at its auction next Monday. There should be something for the collector and the home furnisher alike, writes Eivlín Roden
The Victorians liked their comforts and were adept at inventing ways of keeping out unwelcome draughts. For anyone who would like to follow in their footsteps Morgan O'Driscoll is offering a selection of Victorian furniture at its auction next Monday, as well as some Georgian, Regency and Edwardian items.
Something that fits every criterion of Victorian living is a mahogany four poster double bed which has been restored and fitted out with new curtains and canopy in suitable colours of rich terracotta and pale gold (€700-€900).
A gentleman's mahogany washstand on turned legs (€400-€550) along with a duchess dressing table (also in mahogany with a mirror) and set of three small drawers to each side over one long drawer (€600-€800) would be essential items also. A Victorian bow front chest of drawers with two short, and three long, drawers on raised turned legs (€500-€600) would store a considerable amount of clothing.
Finish off with a circular commode with a top upholstered in what appears to be gros point tapestry and which has a neatly concealed pull-out step (€300-€400). This may not be to everyone's fancy, but there is no doubt that it is an item of curiosity.
In fact, there are many little pieces in this auction which could be of great interest to the collector and home furnisher alike. For instance, if you are interested in gent's washstands - but not a fan of Victoriana - there is an attractive Georgian two-tiered corner one, with three delicately tapering legs, a rounded splashback and a shelf over a shallow drawer and two false ones.
While one may wish there were two drawers behind the false ones, the fact that this piece comes complete with ceramic bowl and jug, and has a pleasing plainness makes it a useful piece of furniture. Aside from its original use, it could stand in a hallway with the bowl and jug filled with summer roses. You could even keep your bottle of white wine cool in it near your table.
Another practical piece is a 19th century cheval glass in mahogany with a broken pediment top enclosing decorative inlay. The mirror is raised on splayed legs with brass toe castors and has marquetry and string inlay all around the frame (€1,500-€2,000). Wall sconces are not something you would automatically include in your list of desirables for your home, but they can play a decorative part. The carved gilt wood wall sconce (€350-€450) for auction here is 19th century and with its marble top could seem too ornate for contemporary living. But think of it in a small cloakroom for holding soap or in a niche near a door to hold letters.
The advantage to these pieces is that they free floor space as well as being decorative. Back it with a mirror from the same period or a tall narrow painting.
Another piece of occasional furniture is an Edwardian mahogany workbox for ladies (€800-€1,000). There is not so much handwork being done these days, but where do you put your knitting, sewing or tapestry which you are working on regularly but intermittently? Chances are it's in a plastic bag. This piece of furniture is like a small table on square tapering legs with a pleated pale green silk work bag descending from a lockable top, which is at the right height to be beside your chair, and which would safely hold your work.
There are many other interesting bits and pieces in this auction, as well as over 200 lots of paintings which include modern Irish artists such as Eugene Conway and Mark O'Neill, plus works by Markey Robinson, George Gillespie, Tom Carr and Norman McCaig.