‘Durrow Dragon’ on the prowl again

Hoarders considering decluttering might take inspiration from the latest amazing find to turn up at auction. A private Co Offaly collection of antique Chinese jade which “arrived in a Dunnes Stores bag” at Sheppard’s auctioneers will go under the hammer next week.

The auctioneer Philip Sheppard said the 17 pieces including bowls, vases and censers, for burning incense, to be sold individually, have been assigned a combined estimate of "about €15,000". But that may prove to be conservative.

Chinese antiques are notoriously difficult to value and previous sales at Sheppard’s have produced some quite unexpected and spectacular results.

Last November, a matchbox-size white jade seal, with a top presale estimate of €6,000, sold for €630,000 at Sheppard’s to an online bidder in China. The price was an all-time record for an item of decorative art sold at auction in Ireland.

The carved seal, subsequently dubbed the “Durrow Dragon”, was spotted by collectors, who recognised its imperial provenance.

Chinese bidders are expected back at the saleroom in Durrow, Co Laois – in person and online – for the three-day auction, titled “Outstanding Interiors and Exteriors”, which begins on Tuesday. Viewing of the 1,600 lots begins this morning.

With an optimistic eye to summer, there’s a wide selection of garden statuary and furniture on offer. Among the highlights are: a pair of monumental stone sculptures, 180cm (5 ft 9 inches) high, each with a seated dog raised on a rectangular plinth, (€4,000-€6,000); a rare George III period sculpted stone-pillared sun-dial (€4,000-€6,000); and a stone-sculpted estate-wall fountain (€2,500-€3,500).

Paintings
Among the pictures, the one likely to attract the most interest is a signed watercolour by Mildred Anne Butler titled Calves and Buttercups, The Lap of Luxury at Kilmurry (€6,000-€9,000). In February, Sheppard's sold another Butler watercolour, Ducks on a Pond at Kilmurry , for €12,000.

In the furniture section, highlights include a “rare and important pair of Edwardian period mahogany wine coolers, in the manner of Seddon, each of sarcophagus form” (€6,000-€9,000); and a French Empire-period ormolu-mounted pedestal writing desk, circa 1890, also €6,000-€9,000.

Both clock and porcelain collectors will be competing for an amazing 18th-century Meissen porcelain and ormolu mantel clock (€4,000-€6,000).

Among the silver, the most notable lots are: a large ceremonial ewer, decorated with images of stag-hunting, made by Robert Hennell, London 1857 (€3,000-€5,000) and an intriguing silver bosun's call – a whistle traditionally used on board ships to pass commands to the crew – inscribed: "This pipe belonged to the boatswain on board HMS Victory and was worn by him at the Battle of Trafalgar, Oct 21st, 1805 (€400-€600).

Anyone lucky enough to have a library at home might like an Edwardian brass-mounted library ladder (€250-€350) or a Georgian library grab, with faux-bamboo stem, for reaching to the highest shelf, €300-€500.

Among the quirkier items is a gold paper knife encrusted with semiprecious stones, made in Paris and inscribed: “from Reginald Forbes, Sept 1807 to Moira Hastings, Hungerford (€800-€1,200).

Of no intrinsic value, but imbued with great sentimental appeal, is lot 1307, a tarnished set of cheap cutlery, allegedly used by Michael Collins to eat his last meal – at the Eldon Hotel, Skibbereen – a few hours before he was shot dead on August 22nd, 1922.

The estimate is €800-€1,200, but, when it comes to mementoes of the Big Fella, the final price is anyone’s guess.