Finding your worth in Durrow

THINK YOUR Chinese vase might be a precious example of imperial Ming porcelain? That silver candlesticks you inherited from granny could be the work of a renowned Georgian Dublin silversmith? Or, that the Belleek teapot you received as a wedding present donkey’s years ago might be worth a mint?

It’s short notice, admittedly, but an antiques valuation event this afternoon arranged by Sheppard’s auctioneers in Durrow, Co Laois could provide some answers. Experts will be on hand to provide on-the-spot assessments. A donation of €10 is requested in return for having three items valued and the money raised will go to The Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation – a charitable organisation which provides respite care for families of children with severe neurological development issues.

Durrow is about 90 minutes from Dublin via the M7 motorway and exit at Junction 17. The event will take place on the village green from 2.30pm-5pm and also features a music recital, a display of vintage cars and motorbikes, and, for children: “free ice-cream; a clown and face-painting”.

The experts providing the valuations are: Michael Sheppard (period furniture; fine art; porcelain); William Crofton (silver); Prof Alan Fletcher (Chinese ceramics); James Bergin (jewellery); Mairead Johnston (fabrics and costume); Philip Sheppard (historical memorabilia; prints; early Irish maps); Donal E Robinson-Ryan(archaeological artefacts and botanical prints); and Erica Devine (collections conservator).