There may be two large antique fairs taking place in Dublin later this week, but, sadly, much of the best Irish furniture offered for sale still tends to be sold at auctions outside the country. It is notable, for example, that the finest items to come on the market yet this year are included in auctions being conducted during the next fortnight by Christie's in London and New York. The latter, on April 13th, has 23 lots of Irish furniture among a sale of English items. One of the most important is a George II lacquered-brass mounted mahogany side table which only left the Republic 24 years ago when Christie's sold the contents of Malahide Castle.
Dating from around 1750, it is a truly beautiful piece of work, topped with a grey-veined white marble top above rococo brass decorations which reveal stronger French influences than are usual in Irish furniture. The table, which deserves to come back to its former home, carries an estimate of $20,000-$30,000. This is a lower price than the two Irish George II mahogany side-tables included in the same sale. The carving on both is wonderfully exuberant and very typical in style of items made here during the period. Each of them has a central lion's mask on the apron front, joined to the legs by not just acanthus scrolls but also pierced flowered garlands. The lion's paw feet in both cases also have acanthus-carved ankles. Carrying the same date as the above-mentioned sidetable, they have estimates of $30,000$50,000 and $50,000-$80,000 respectively. The other fascinating Irish lot being sold in New York is a satinwood and marquetry demi-lune table, inside of which has been fitted a pianoforte. The case may be by William Moore of Dublin but, whether this should be so or not, such instruments are extremely rare and the estimate of $12,000$18,000 seems therefore quite reasonable.
The auction at Christie's in London takes place next Thursday with 10 Irish lots scheduled for 2.30 p.m. Again, there are several side-tables, none as elaborately carved as those being sold in New York, as well as a substantial George IV concertina-action dining table, which may have been first commissioned for the now-demolished Courtown House in Co Wexford, where it remained for many years; its estimate is £25,000£40,000 sterling. A curiosity in the London sale is an early Victorian yew and cedar wood wine table with curved front. At the back is a glazed insert panel featuring a tree draped with a shield emblazoned with Prince of Wales feathers on the left, a stag on the right and, in the centre, the hand of Ulster on another shield. Above these decorations is carved "Ced Mile Failte". Oddly, although the table is Irish, the armorials are those of an old Welsh family, the Pulestons of Flintshire; it is expected to make £15,000-£25,000. The same estimate is carried by another lot with both Irish and British associations - a pair of giant elk antlers. These were presented by the people of Ireland to Sir Robert Peel who was Chief Secretary here from 1812 to 1818.
