Castles, manors and mansions at Sheppard’s sale next week

Nearly 1,600 lots of furniture, paintings, and other collectibles are up for grabs next week, writes Des O’Sullivan.

A pair of satinwood and painted commodes, decorative Sevres urns, an ormolu mounted Chinese Imari garniture, and a c1720 herringbone inlaid walnut chest on chest are among the delights at three days of sales at Sheppard’s in Durrow, Co Laois, next week.

Viewing gets under way today for the Castles, Manors, and Mansions auction next Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 10.30am each day.

The catalogue lists nearly 1,600 lots of furniture, paintings and a huge choice of collectible and decorative items to be sold on Thursday. The 19th century commodes (pictured below) are estimated at €10,000-€15,000 but many lots, such as a silver-plated crumb scoop and a pair of fish servers (€30-€50) are highly affordable in a sale that spans lots of styles and price ranges.

For example the ormolu mounted 19th century Chinese Imari garniture is estimated at €1,500-€2,500 and a Qing period blue and white platter at just €140-€180.

Sevres porcelain is always of interest to collectors and the 19th century Sevres urns are estimated at €3,000-€5,000.

The early 18th century chest on chest has the same estimate.

There is no shortage of fine furniture, art, books, rugs, clocks, sculpture, and some fine chests of drawers.

There are 19th century ornithological engravings, a print by Jack B Yeats, a miniature portrait by Hugh Douglas Hamilton, and a wooded lake scene by James Arthur O’Connor.

Jewellery and silver in the auction can brighten up your morning on Wednesday, while a pair of George III Chinese Chippendale carved gilt wood console tables (pictured below) would seriously brighten up any room.

The tables come with green marble tops and are estimated at €15,000-€25,000.

Viewing in Durrow is from 10am to 5pm today, tomorrow, and Monday.