Antiques & FIne Art: What events are put on hold for now?

Des O'Sullivan gives an overview of the changed dates for much-anticipated sales

The show must go on but not in all circumstances. At home and abroad many sales are being postponed and rescheduled.

Among the postponements last week was Sotheby’s much-vaunted London sale of the Patrick Kelly Collection from 44 Fitzwilliam Sq in Dublin. This was a loss and the sense of disappointment was palpable but the auction will no doubt eventually go ahead.

The sale of Important Irish Art at James Adam was postponed last week and among the auctions not going ahead in the coming week are sales at Lynes and Lynes in Carrigtwohill, Mullen’s Collectors cabinet sale at Laurel Park in Bray, and a planned sale of pub memorabilia at Victor Mee’s in Co Cavan. These auctions are set up and ready to go at a moment’s notice whenever the all-clear is given.

Even where an auction is scheduled to go ahead right now it is advisable to check at the last minute before travelling. All sales at Bonhams are postponed until April 21, there is a revised schedule at Christie’s, Sotheby’s has reduced the schedule, all auctions at James Adam in Dublin are temporarily postponed, and Fonsie Mealy is open by appointment only.

Whyte’s offices are closed but business continues behind closed doors and this is the case with many leading auctioneering firms right now.

This was not the case at Kells in Co Meath where Matthews held a successful two-day sale online last Saturday and Sunday. Bidding on a variety of collectibles and furniture was brisk and numbers of lots were valued at under €100.

Not so for a pair of bronze sculptured life-sized stags which made €2,600 on the hammer against an estimate of €2,500-€3,500.

A pair of bronze hares made €920. A William IV dining table extending to about 15ft sold for €6,000. Jewellery made good prices and a diamond solitaire ring sold for €7,200.