Unusual selection of Gothic furniture on offer in Kerry sale

Des O’Sullivan reports on Puginesque lots for sale from Mercy Convents in Tralee and Rosscarbery in Co Cork.

An unusual selection of furniture in the Gothic manner by renowned Dublin makers Robert Strahan comes up at auction in Tralee on this day week.

Lynes and Lynes will offer contents from The Mercy Convent at Balloonagh, Tralee. The convent, located in a fine-cut stone building in the Pugin manner, opened in 1858 at around the same time as Oakpark House, which is located nearby. The convent furniture in the library and back parlour was acquired at auction in the 1920s from Oakpark House, which is a jewel of the Irish Gothic revival. Pugin, who designed the Palace of Westminster and a number of buildings inIreland including St Mary’s Cathedral, Killarney, pioneered the fashionable Gothic Revival style.

When the Collis-Sandes estate was auctioned, the sisters opted to acquire some of the furniture, as it was ideally suited to their building.

The Strahan furniture is labelled and stamped and was designed specifically for Oakpark House. A large seven door breakfront bookcase c1860 (€5,000-€10,000) is complete with the Collis-Sandes crest. An oak dining table with five spare leaves (€3,000-€5,000) which can seat up to 24, has features which match this bookcase and is stamped by Strahan.

The oak sideboard by Strahan (€1,000-€2,000) also carries the family crest and there is a fine oak library table (€1,500-€2,000).

Not everything in the sale is by Strahan.

The Mercy Order have decided to add the entire contents of their convent in Rosscarbery to the auction.

There are no fewer than eight oak refectory tables. Oak furniture, like silver plate, is more sought after in England that it is in Ireland but this is a particularly interesting once-off selection and it should cause a stir here. There are fender, clocks, slide lanterns, garden furniture, porcelain, glass and kitchen equipment among more than 500 lots.

Viewing is from 10am to 6pm next Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and the sale is at 10.30am on November 14.