Work by John Behan at Woodward's Cork sale 

Des O'Sullivan previews the online auction which features a piece by the renowned contemporary sculptor as well as art, furniture and collectibles

John Behan's 'Birds in Flight', left, 'Fisher's Quay, Youghal' by Norah McGuinness, top right, and a silver strawberry dish by William Egan and Sons, below right, will be auctioned at Woodward's online sale.

John Behan's bronze sculpture Birds in Flight will highlight the online sale at Woodward Auctioneers in Cork next Saturday (November 23). One of our most renowned contemporary sculptors, Behan is the subject of a new feature-length film titled Odyssey directed by Donald Taylor-Black documenting his involvement with migrant camps in Greece. 

A commitment to social justice has always been part of his work and John Behan, now in his mid-80s, has given art workshops to migrants and refugees in Athens. The bronze at Woodward's is estimated at €8,000-€12,000.

John Behan's 'Birds in Flight'.

The auction will kick off at 10am with around 150 lots of silver including some Cork pieces. 

A Cork silver strawberry dish by William Egan and Sons.

Among a selection of Irish and English silver, American coinage and militaria on offer is a Cork silver strawberry dish by William Egan and Sons Cork, 1966 (€800-€1,200), a 1974 sauceboat by the same makers (€400-€800), a c1790 cream jug by Samuel Green, Cork (€700-€900), a c1745 tablespoon by George Hodder (€350-€450) and a c1790 small bright cut ladle by Carden Terry (€200-€300).

Artworks include Fisher's Quay, Youghal by Norah McGuinness (€2,000-€3,000), and a watercolour The Old Houses at World's End by John C Bosanquet (€300-€500). There is a nostalgic watercolour of the old Cork Opera House by artist Neil Kelleher, owner of the much-admired plant-covered house on South Douglas Road in Cork city. Proceeds from the sale of this work will be donated to create Ireland's longest wisteria tunnel now under construction at Dominic Cullinane's garden centre at Curraghbeg Nurseries, Ovens.

'The Old Cork Opera House' by Niall Kelleher.

A good selection of the sort of antique furniture that can be a real bargain right now is on the catalogue. A small inlaid William and Mary bureau, a Queen Anne walnut chest on chest, a William IV walnut wine cooler and a slim Sheraton inlaid bureau bookcase are each estimated at just €500-€800. A Sheraton tea table (€600-€800), an Edwardian kneehole desk (€200-€300), a Victorian D-end dining table (€400-€600) and an Irish Georgian bookcase (€400-€600) along with a large red ground Persian rug (€500-€800) are on the catalogue too.

The sale is on view at Woodward's from 2pm to 4pm today and tomorrow and from 10am to 4pm daily next week.