Portrait fetches €77,000 at Mayo historic house contents sale
Co. Kilkenny auctioneers Fonsie Mealy has published a list of the top 10 highest prices achieved at auction for the Newport House contents sale.
1. Hugh Douglas Hamilton RHA (1739-1808) A magnificent and important large full-size Portrait of "Colonel Hugh O'Donel (1760-1799)," O.O.C., 229cms x 152cms (90" x 60 1/2") in original frame.
Estimate: €80,000/€100,000, sold for €77,000.
2. An extremely fine Georgian period gilt rococo Mirror, exquisitely and elaborately carved after a design by Thomas Johnson. The varied mirror plates within elegant designs, C scrolls trailed foliage, surmounted by putti, animals (fox, wolf, deer heads) Ho Ho birds, urns central musical trophy and frosted decoration., approx. 209cms x 153cms (82" x 5' wide).
Estimate: €20,000/€30,000, sold for €50,000
3. An important impressive set of Prehistoric Giant Irish Elk Antlers and Skull ("Megaloceros Giganteus) c. 12000 - 18000 B.C., approx. 279cms (9'2") wide x 137cms ( 4'6") high, with 20 points (some repairs). Note: Irish Elk is the common name for a giant, extinct deer, Megaloceros Giganteus, characterized by enormous antlers.
This is the largest deer known to have ever lived. Megaloceros Giganteus appeared for the first time about 400,000 years ago and disappeared about 11,000 years ago. It ranged from Ireland and Great Britain in Western Europe and as far east as China and Siberia during the Late Pleistocene period. Elk Antlers are a statement item and were placed in many of the big country houses around Ireland.
Estimate: €15,000/€20,000, sold for €46,000
4. Sean Keating (1889-1977) “Waiting for the Steamer, Aran Islands” c. 1950, oil on canvas, 76cms x 102cms (30” x 40”) Signed lower right ‘Keating’.
Estimate: €30,000/€50,000, sold for €40,000
5. John Astley c. 1756 (1724 - 1787) Three quarter length "Portrait of Thomas Pepper, of Ballygarth Co. Louth (1733-1790), as a young man standing with a lace trimmed blue coat, with his elbow resting on a ledge," approx. 120cms x 102cms (47" x 40"), O.O.C., in contemporary gilt frame.
Estimate: €3,000/€5,000, sold for €11,000.
6. A very fine pair of 19th Century Meissen Schneeballen Vases and Covers, decorated with flowers etc., and large birds surmounted on lids, 79cms (31") h.
Estimate: €4,000/ €6,000 sold for €9,500
7. Hugh Douglas Hamilton (1739-1808) "Captain Henry Charles Sirr," O.O.C., head and shoulder portrait of a Gentleman with grey wig and redcoat, approx. 70cms x 64cms (30" x 24"), inscribed on reverse in contemporary gilt frame.
Estimate: €4,000/€6,000, sold for €9,500
8. A magnificent Georgian period mahogany Dining Table, on two quadruple centre pods, and two outer tripod bases, each of outsplayed and reeded form terminating in brass castors, together with one large and two smaller spare leave insets, with original hinged clasps, approx. 145cms x 444.5cms (57" x 175"), in original condition.
Estimate: €8,000/ €10,000, sold for €9,500.
9. Follower of Jacopo Bassano, Italian (1550-1590) "Noah's Ark," O.O.C., extensive scene depicting a busy scene with figures and animal and birds, being guided towards the Ark, approx. 144 cms x 202cms (56 1/2" x 79 1/2"), in fine quality ornate gilt frame. (1)
Estimate: €8,000/€12,000, sold for €9,000
10. An unusual rare and fine quality Ladies Bracelet, set with 19 half sovereigns with coins dating from 1911-1915, connected with loop links and border bands, with heavy lock, approx. 3.87 ounces (total).
Estimate: €6,000/€8,000 sold for €8,500