Auction at Adam’s heralds collector’s day of the trifid

More than 180 lots of rare Irish and English silver from Jimmy Weldon collection, writes Des O’Sullivan.

MORE than 180 lots of rare Irish and English silver from the collection of Jimmy Weldon will come under the hammer at James Adam in Dublin next Tuesday at 6pm.

On offer is a selection ranging from the rarest of Irish provincial spoons to quirky table decorations.

Provincial Irish silver is rare and prized nationally and internationally. The highlight of the sale is a Kinsale silver trifid spoon made by brothers William and Joseph Wall around 1712. It is estimated at €8,000-€12,000.

A c1750 Limerick sugar bowl by Collins Brehon at James Adam (€8,000-€12,000).

There is a similar estimate on a fluted Limerick sugar bowl made by Collins Brehon around 1750. A second piece of Limerick silver is a c1785 soup ladle by Maurice Fitzgerald (€4,000). A gold Claddagh ring, made c1775 in Galway, has an estimate of €3,000.

There are a number of pieces of Georgian Cork silver from makers like Carden Terry and Jane Williams, Michael MacDermott, John Nicolson, William Reynolds and George Hodder.

An Irish Provincial George III asparagus tongs by Carden Terry at James Adam (€1,500-2,500).

Major Dublin pieces from the early 18th century include a 1737 globular tea kettle on stand by Thomas Sutton and a 1715 strawberry dish by John Hamilton.

There is a collection of four early 19th century seals with the armorials of the 7th Viscount Powerscourt. He was responsible for the remodeling of Powerscourt and laid out the gardens as we know them today. The seals are estimated at €8,000.

Weldon’s was established in Clarendon St in central Dublin in the 1890’s. In the 1960’s Jimmy Weldon joined the business founded by his grandfather.

A c1745 Cork George II loving cup by George Hodder at James Adam (€2,500-3,500)

A genial expert on Irish Georgian silver who has served twice as Master Warden of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, he regularly shows up at fairs around Ireland and is scheduled to attend the Hibernian Antiques Fair at Acton’s Hotel in Kinsale tomorrow.

Viewing is now underway. Adam’s say that younger collectors are once again buying antique silver tableware for the wow factor it creates. They describe this as a remarkable collection for anyone with an interest in the applied arts.

What a gem! All eyes on Kinsale for fair

Des O’Sullivan looks ahead to a sale of vintage delights in Co Cork

Kinsale is always a popular venue and Hibernian Antique Fairs will have a full house at Acton’s Hotel from 11am to 6pm tomorrow for what will be their first Kinsale fair of 2017.

A pigeon’s blood ruby and diamond ring which Weldon’s will bring to the antique fair in Kinsale tomorrow (€22,500).

All their regular dealers will be in attendance with an array of silver, jewellery, Irish art, and Waterford Crystal.

The fishing town will also see a collection of rare books and maps, china and porcelain, Victorian tools, miniatures, watches, Murano glass, coins, banknotes and vintage items.

Dealers from Belfast, Dublin, Waterford, Cork, Limerick, Drogheda, Galway and around Ireland will attend.

A three-sapphire ring which will be part of the display on sale at the Hibernian Antique Fair at Kinsale tomorrow.

Among them are Weldon’s Dublin, Marie Curran, Dublin, Treasures Irish Art, Athlone; Des Gallagher, Belfast; Maureen Kiely, Drogheda; Eva Ryan, Limerick; Judy Burton, Waterford and Charles and Sarah Vivian from Co Cork.

Sadly, one dealer who will not be there is the late Tom Linehan from Cork who died at the end of April. He will be greatly missed by all of his colleagues.