Georgian doorcase in all its Rococco splendour

A superb 18th-century Irish carved doorcase could fetch up to £14,000 at Mealy's's sale in Castlecomer next month. The pine doorcase, carved by John Kelly in 1758, is thought to have originally come from a house in Lower Dominick??? Street, Dublin, but it has been in private ownership for the last 40 or so years. Most carved woodwork of this period is so overlaid with paint that it is impossible to appreciate the detail, but in this case the exquisite Rococco carving is free of such matter.

John Kelly carried out work at Carton House and also carved a bed for Dr Mosse at the Rotunda Hospital (for which he was paid just over £19 and eight shillings). He is also though to have worked on some of the door cases in North Great Georges Street.

Twenty years ago, or even 10, one could have found chunks of similar Georgian woodcarving, panelling, doors and fireplaces abandoned in skips around the inner city, but these days every scrap of Georgiana is highly prized and consequently extremely expensive. Hopefully, this beautiful doorcase, and its 18th-century door, will find its way into one of the many Georgian houses being renovated at present. According to George Mealy, there has been strong interest from Irish collectors and it is unlikely that the doorcase will leave the Republic. Several items from Abbeyleix are being included in the sale on the instructions of the Viscount and Viscountess de Vesci.

Two pictures by Claude Lorraine which once hung in the hallway of their stately home are on the market, with guide prices of £7,000 to £10,000 each. A pair of Regency brass inlaid mahogany card tables, which had been in the drawingroom of Abbeyleix, is expected to fetch £4,000-£6,000. Other valuable lots include a fine statuary group by the 19th-century Italian sculptor, Adam Tadolino (£12,000 to £18,000) and a marble study of Father Theobald Matthew by John Hogan, who at one time worked with Tadolino in Rome. Hogan, who started his career as an apprentice to the leading Cork architect of the day, Thomas Deane, moved to Italy to work, and in 1837 was elected a member of the Virtuosi del Pantheon, an elite artistic society founded in the 1500s to which no British or, indeed, Irish subject had ever belonged.

He carried out many important commissions for Irish patrons, including a statue of Daniel O'Connell for the Repeal Association. He completed several busts and statues of the temperence priest, Father Matthew, of which this is considered the best. It was exhibited first at the Royal Hibernian Academy in 1844 and was later bought by the Capuchins, who have now put it on the market. The guide price is £4,000-£6,000.

In all, around 1,400 lots will be auctioned during the two-day sale on March 9th and 10th. Viewing starts next Friday, March 5th.

An 18th-century carved doorcase may sell for £14,000 at an auction to be held by Mealy's of Castlecomer on March 9th and 10th. The pine doorcase, with its fine Rococco carvings intact, was made in 1758 by John Kelly