Some €410,000 worth of fine art, Irish art, old masters, antiques, silver, and other items was sold at auction by Fonsie Mealy auctioneers last week.
The two-day auction featured items from The Aske, Shankill, Co Dublin (formerly housed at Ballynahinch Castle, Co Galway ); Colonel Harding’s collection from Tulach Nore, Pike Of Rushall, Co Laois; two private collections of Irish art; and items from other important clients.
Eighty per cent of the lots sold during the event. One of the lots from Galway, a rare collection of 18th century rosaries, sold for €2,200, five times its estimate.
Another lot, a suite of four large and impressive 17th century old master full length portraits, attributed to Justus Sustermans (1597–1681 ), sold for €40,000.
The highest selling lots at the auction included a portrait by Daniel O’Neill (€9,500 ); the sculpture Wandering Aengus by John Behan (€7,000 ); a walnut dining suite by Gillows (€6,500 ); an early 20th century Birmingham 15ct gold and silver gilt chalice and paten (€5,300 ); a mahogany replica of the Resolute Desk, the desk of the US President (€4,600 ); a suite of three Victorial mahogany bookcases (€3,800 ); and a drawing by Jack B Yeats (€3,400 ).
For more information contact Fonsie Mealy auctioneers, fine art and rare book specialist, Chatsworth Auction Rooms, Chatsworth Street, Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny, at 056 4441229, email [email protected], or see www.fonsiemealy.ie
