Sale a lightning rod for civic engagement

AN unusually impressive selection of antique and garden furniture, fine art, decorative art and silver will come under the hammer at Fota House, Cork next Tuesday (May 28) at 10.30am.

This mother of all charity auctions in aid of St Finn Barre’s Cathedral restoration fund will be conducted by Sheppards of Durrow, one of Ireland’s leading auction houses.

The 700 lot sale, on view at Fota from 11am to 5pm for the next three days, features much to tempt the discerning collector. There is a remarkable range of treasure, from a limited edition Picasso print to Cork silver, jewellery, a fine Arcadian landscape, an Irish William IV sundial and an Irish breakfront hall table.

Auctioneer Michael Sheppard remarked: “Many of the donated items are of superb quality. This is remarkably so in relation to the provincial Irish silver, the Picasso lithograph and numerous other outstanding items. Already, this auction has become a lightning rod for positive civic engagement, both individual and corporate, that is nothing short of astounding.”

The auction will kick off with a selection of Persian carpets, rugs and runners followed by decorative items such as an 18th century Chinese gold mounted agate snuff bottle, jewellery, silver including Cork and Limerick pieces, Chinese ceramics, antique furniture and art. The response to this auction in aid of a building stitched into the fabric of Cork city is extremely positive and it is anticipated that it will be a major fundraiser.

A pair of Sheraton demi-lune side tables and walnut credenza with Sevres panels are highlights at Woodwards auction in Cork next Wednesday at 6pm. The sale will feature over 100 lots of silver including a Cork George III sauceboat by John Humphreys (€900-€1,100) and a Cork silver serving spoon by John Nicholson c1795 (€160-€200).

Antique furniture includes a pair of Victorian hall chairs, a partners’ desk, a Georgian coffee table and a Biedermeier bureau. There is Waterford and other glass ware, jewellery and a number of artworks from members of the Cork Artists’ Collective including Irene Murphy, Eileen Healy and Margaret Fitzgibbon. Viewing is from 2pm to 5pm today and tomorrow and from 10am to 5pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.