Antiques: A hot Georgian wine cooler and a cool Edwardian desk in Cork

Des O'Sullivan looks at stylish pieces and spectacular value at Woodwards

An Edwardian rolltop desk at Woodwards.

A hot Georgian wine cooler or a cool Edwardian desk? The choice is yours at Woodwards summer auction in Cork next Saturday (June 28). 

Well-positioned each of these stylish antique pieces can add grace to most homes. Estimated respectively at €600-€800 and €400-€600, they are not particularly expensive and would have cost more 20 years ago.

Such is the sad state of the market for antique furniture. The happy news (if that is not a contradiction in terms right now) is that furniture like this does offer spectacular value. The sale at Woodwards is rich in such pieces like a Regency crossbanded tea table (€400-€600), a D-end dining table (€200-€400), a parquetry inlaid hall table (€200-€400), a Victorian walnut davenport (€300-€500), a William IV card table (€250-€400) and a Regency Pembroke table (€300-€600). 

Among other offerings are a large Persian rug (€500-€800), a five-piece cast-iron patio suite (€800-€1,200), a gilt console mirror with marble tabletop (€800-€1,200) and art including Vanity Fair Spy prints and Victorian silhouettes and collectibles. The online auction starts at 10am next Saturday (June 28) and is on view at Woodwards from 2pm to 4pm today and tomorrow and from 10am to 4pm all next week.