Antiques Roadshow find for sale in Dublin

A valuable painting discovered on the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow is among over 170 works up for auction this week in Dublin in a sale expected to break all Irish records.

“Dooega Achill Island, Co Mayo” by Ulster artist Paul Henry depicts the rugged landscape of the island and has a guide price of between €60,000-80,000. The painting was in the current owner’s family since the 1920s and was only discovered when valued at the BBC Antiques Roadshow at Hughenden Manor, Buckinghamshire, in the summer.

Described by BBC valuer Mark Politmore as one of the most exciting pictures he had ever seen on a roadshow, he valued the work at €60,000.

Among the other paintings on offer in James Adam and Sons Important Irish Art Sale are three valuable oils by Louis Le Brocquy and highly sought after pieces by Jack B Yeats.

One of the highlights of the sale is Le Brocquy’s masterpiece “Sick Tinkers Child” estimated at €800,000.

A painting by the acclaimed Walter Osborne, which has been in private hands for over a century, is also being sold.

Experts at the auction house expect the sale to be break all previous records and become the highest grossing fine art auction in Ireland.

James O’Halloran, managing director at James Adam, said it would be a truly exceptional sale.

“We have been working on this auction for the past six months, consigning paintings and sculptures from important private collections in Ireland and the UK that are, crucially, fresh to market and of superb quality,” he said.

“Many of the pictures match museum standards and by offering a wide range in both period and style, from Lavery to le Brocquy, we believe there is something of interest for all collectors at all levels and tastes.”

A core part of the sale comes from a private collector in Dublin who has gathered a selection of important works from by Irish artists.

Also included are a number of works by Jack B Yeats from the Waddingtons at Beaulieu, near Drogheda, a family associated with the very best of his work as well as a series of Kenneth Webb paintings designed to decorate his house in Ballywalter, Co Down.

Other highlights include Nathaniel Hone’s “Bogland near Erris, Co.Mayo” valued at €30,000-40,000 and Paul Henry’s “Bogland with turf stacks” with an estimate of up to €80,000 and fine works by Mary Swanzy, Mainie Jellett, Patrick Scott, Gerard Dillon and a wonderful range of large F.E. McWilliam bronzes.

The auction takes place Tuesday at 5pm. A fully illustrated catalogue can be downloaded online at www.adams.ie.