Antique and art market shows its resilience

THE most expensive antique ever sold at auction in Ireland and a new record for a Paul Henry painting have been among the antique and art highlights of the past year. The market in Ireland continues to prove its resilience in a changing environment.

Prices, by and large, are low. The value to be had is bringing new buyers, new collectors and more younger people. No one is paying silly money and quality is key as new trends emerge. There is more internet bidding, more social media involvement and some of our more resourceful auction houses have even taken to having catalogues printed in Chinese.