Gesso table tops €90k

AN Irish gilt and gesso side table made €90,000 to become the top lot at the James Adam’s Country House Collection sale in Slane Castle last Sunday and Monday.

The sale realised €1.4m at hammer and 80% of lots on offer sold. The 80% sell rate is consistent with latter day auctions in Ireland.

Managing director James O’Halloran commented: “The sale was fantastic, we have not had a consistently successful sale like that for quite a while”. The atmosphere on Sunday was very good and internet bidders played a big role. The only recorded Irish watercolour by J.M.W. Turner, which shows Clontarf Castle, sold for €65,000 over an estimate of €20,000-€40,000.

The William IV bracket clock by Samuel Haynes of Cork, illustrated previously on these pages, sold for €750, a Cork silver George III coffee pot by Carden Terry made €10,500.

Tables sold particularly well and collectors were out in force for what has become an eagerly anticipated annual event.

Meanwhile, the Hegarty’s auction planned for Carrigaline Court Hotel next Monday evening has been deferred until Monday, Nov 11.

Among the lots on offer at the Edward Walsh Sales auction at the Fir Grove Hotel in Mitchelstown tomorrow is a carved Victorian drawing room suite, a Georgian longcase clock; a large Victorian dining table and a set of six sug•in chairs. Viewing 7pm to 9pm today and 10am to start of sale at 2.30pm tomorrow.