Cupid gives RDS auction a flavour of love

Although it has all the hallmarks of a major country-house sale, Hamilton Osborne King's auction next Tuesday takes place on the premises of the Royal Dublin Society. Starting at 10.30 a.m., the event offers collectors a substantial number of important pieces; those looking for a bargain are unlikely to find much here.

Typical of the high standards is a pair of Irish mahogany and ebonised side tables in the Strawberry Hill gothic style, which originally came from the La Touche family home at Marlay Park in Rathfarnham. As an indication of their rarity, the estimate for these tables is available only on request. The same is also true of an early 19th century and very large mahogany extending circular dining table.

Furniture which does carry a pre-sale estimate includes a pair of mahogany serpentine side tables in the gothic-revival style (circa 1900), which is expected to sell for £10,000-£15,000, and a pair of mahogany open bookcases (circa 1840) by Williams & Gibton which used to be in Humewood Castle (£5,000-£8,000).

A very fine pair of 18th century satinwood and harewood inlaid D-shaped tables carries an estimate of £20,000-£30,000, a mid-19th century Killarney davenport in the manner of Daniel Egan is expected to fetch £6,000-£10,000 and an early 19th century breakfront secretaire bookcase has a price tag of £10,000-£15,000.

A pair of early 19th century Newton's terrestrial and celestial library globes on stands is also expected to do well, with an estimate of £20,000-£30,000.

The auctioneers are particularly proud of the three 19th century marble statues offered in this sale. All of them include the figure of Cupid and reflect a preoccupation with love.

A marble group by Joseph Gott of Venus and Cupid on an irregular oval base should sell for £10,000-£20,000, while the same pair of figures - this time on a black scagliola plinth - has an estimate of £20,000-£30,000.

A solo figure of Cupid disguised as a shepherd boy by John Gibson is expected to go for £20,000-£25,000.

Among the picture section, the key lots include a canvas by Francis Bindon, presumed to be a self-portrait (£3,000-£4,000), a portrait of the late 17th/early 18th century sculptor Guillaume Kerricx by Jacob Denys (£3,500-£4,500), two Venetian watercolours by Bonnington (£1,500-£2,000) and a rather unusual mid-19th century panoramic view of the Brazilian coastline (£2,000-£4,000).

Irish pictures run to several examples of Charles McAuley's work, with estimates between £600 and £1,500, a coastal scene by George Russell (£3,000-£5,000) and, most important of all, a large landscape by George Barret (£30,000-£50,000).

There is plenty of Irish silver also, such as a helmet-shaped sauceboat by Matthew West of Dublin, circa 1790 (£450-£650), a waiter by Samuel Nicholson of Cork, circa 1775 (£500-£800) and an early 19th century Dublin-made tea service (£1,000-£1,500).

Finally, other items worthy of note include a rococo-style 18th century carved giltwood mirror, probably Continental (£8,000-£12,000), a mid-19th century Aubusson carpet (£10,000-£12,000), a pair of 18th century carved girandole mirrors (£8,000-£12,000), a French Empire ormolu mantel clock (£1,500-£2,000) and an 18th century sedan chair (£3,000-£4,000).