VIDEO: Auction stations as Lotabeg House contents up for grabs

Ceremonial urns, Chinese vases, and paintings part of huge Hart family collection

Hyper-aware, expert in the language of gestures, George Mealy moved bidders swiftly towards the magic number to acquire their chosen piece from among the 750-plus lots under the hammer at yesterday’s auction of the entire contents of Lotabeg House at the Clayton Silversprings Hotel in Cork City.

To a novice, detecting the raised paddle was almost impossible, to the seasoned Mr Mealy, reared in a family more than eight decades in the auctioneering business, spotting the bidding stick was a doddle. Business got under way a little later than the scheduled 10am start because of problems with wifi.