COUNTRY house sales are thin on the ground at this time of year so there should be keen interest in the Mealy's sale at Borleagh Manor in Co Wexford on April 2nd.
Borleagh Manor, near Gorey, is a fine Georgian house that has been immaculately maintained in recent years. Previous owners include Richard Green, the British actor best known for playing Robin Hood, who lived there in the 1960s and was master of the Wicklow hunt. Many of his show business friends stayed there, including Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor.
The 700 lot sale will include the house's contents as well as items from other estates. There will be some good Irish pieces on offer, including an early Irish mirror, estimated at £2,000-£3,000, and a pair of large demilune, mahogany side tables, estimated at £3,000-£4,000. A Sheraton period, inlaid sideboard is expected to fetch £8,000 to £10,000.
Over 120 lots of paintings will include a portrait by Charles Spencalayh of a lady taking afternoon tea - top estimate, £20,000 - while a painting by George (AE) Russell, entitled Children in the Woods, is expected to make £3,000-£5,000.
A full size billiards table, several Oriental carpets, light fittings, plenty of mirrors, silver and plate, antique glass, ceramics and clocks will also be on view and on sale. The catalogue will be available from Mealy's next week.
