Stuck in a moment with U2

A SELECTION of “exceptional clocks” collected by “an Irish gentleman while he travelled the world before the Great War” (1914-1918) is to be auctioned at Christie’s in London next week. The clocks were bought in “Peking, Tehran, St Petersburg, Lahore and many other places and were kept in his home in Danzig before he returned to Ireland after the outbreak of War”.

The man’s collection was sold off – presumably after his death – in the 1920s but, unfortunately, the record of his name has been lost.

Examples going under the hammer next week include “a George III engraved ormolu quarter-striking musical and automaton clock” which is expected to fetch between £300,000- £500,000 (€370,000-€620,000).

The auction of European decorative arts, titled “The Exceptional Sale”, takes place on Thursday and also features the silver Leinster Dinner Service (estimated £1.5-£2 million).

There’s a very different Irish angle at Bonhams auction of Entertainment Memorabiliain Knightsbridge, London on Tuesday where a poster for a 1983 concert, at Leeds University, for a concert by U2 – ticket price, £3.50 – has an estimate of £300-£500 (€370-€620).