Antiques: Go find sunny spots and shady nooks

An 18th-century Irish staddle stone at Sheppard's.

Des O'Sullivan looks at the garden sculpture on offer in an upcoming sale

LIFE in lockdown afforded many readers an opportunity to deeply reconsider their homes and especially their gardens. A real opportunity to add antique ornament to a shady nook or a sunny spot arises at Sheppard's sale of architectural ornaments and garden sculpture in Durrow next Tuesday.

This enormous bronze fountain could be yours.

Here you will find neo-classical urns, gothic arches, gazebos, outdoor mirrors, sculpture, seating, ornaments and even an enormous bronze fountain with seven basins. With an estimate of €15,000-€20,000 lot 114 does not come cheap. The good news is that there is a variety of other fountains and fountain heads at much more conservative estimates.

There are urns, planters, egg carriers, stone finials, staddle stones originally used as supporting bases to keep vermin in granaries at bay, now re-incarnated as garden conversation pieces, and a 19th-century cast-iron plough.

The sale features Coalbrookedale cast-iron garden seats in various patterns including fern leaf, a hardwood Lutyens garden bench and a pair of 19th century Dublin cast iron park bench ends.

An 18th-century Irish staddle stone at Sheppard's.

A selection of cast iron and stone figures, models of animals from bears and armorial lions to whippets and birds, moulded jardinieres and a Portland stone arch and an antique bellows all amount to a huge variety of choice in a sale that Sheppards normally hold each year in May. It has become a popular annual event where bidders compete for rare and unusual garden pieces.

There is viewing from today at Glantelwe Gardens, Mill Road, in Durrow and the catalogue is online at www.sheppards.ie