Contents from great Irish houses in Sheppard’s sales

Des O’Sullivan previews the art, furniture, and more which will be auctioned at four sessions over two days.

Contents from Westport House, Luttrellstown Castle, Castle Durrow, and Malahide Castle are among the lots at the two-day sale at Sheppard’s in Durrow on Tuesday and Wednesday. More than 1,200 lots will come under the hammer at auctions scheduled to begin at 10.30am and 2pm on each day.

There is a French ormolu corner cabinet from Westport House, a brass lantern from Luttrellstown Castle, a 19th-century tapestry from Malahide Castle with lurchers and the castle in the background, and a pair of William IV ebony curtain poles from Castle Durrow.

Among the other lots from these sources are a pair of Irish mahogany side tables, a 19th-century pine farmhouse table, an 18th-century blunderbuss by Rigby of Dublin (€3,000-€5,000), a 17th-century Italian School oil of the last supper, a pair of bronze Egyptian figures by Émile Louis Picault (1833-1915), and a 19th-century classical urn.

There is a pair of c 1760 Cork silver sauce ladles by John and Samuel Nicholson or Joseph Kinsella (€2,500-€3,500), antique terracotta urns, Japanese satsuma war, 19th-century engravings, and a good selection of antique furniture among the large variety of lots.

A French ormolu corner cabinet will be in Sheppard's sale.

A large 19th-century tapestry from Malahide Castle (€400-€600)

A 19th-century brass hall lantern from Luttrellstown Castle (€300-€500)

Art, silver, some garden furniture, and sculpture will be sold on Tuesday morning.

In the afternoon there is a small selection of wine cases, antique furniture, porcelain, clocks, coins and jewellery.

On Wednesday morning there will be Oriental porcelain and bronzes and a further selection of art.

The final session features glassware, antique furniture, mirrors, brassware, maps, rugs, and porcelain.

Viewing is underway in Durrow today and it continues from 10am to 5pm for the next three days.