WOODWARD’S auction in Cork next Wednesday offers items from both the nationalist and loyalist strands of Irish history with a rare example of “Republican” silver and a painting commemorating Queen Victoria’s arrival at Cobh.

During the Civil War, disrupted communications meant that Cork silversmiths William Egan and Sons was unable to send silver to be assayed and hallmarked at the government assay office in Dublin. The firm created its own temporary dies to mark silver items made during the period July-September, 1922. Auctioneer Tom Woodward said “Only about 60 to 70 pieces were made and anybody owning one of these rare and historic specimens would be very fortunate.” One of those lucky people is selling a Republican silver strawberry dish which is estimated at €15,000-€25,000.

Among paintings in the auction is The Visit of Queen Victoria to Cork Harbourpainted by maritime artist George Mounsey Atkinson. The Queen and Prince Albert arrived on board the royal yacht in August 1849 and Cobh was subsequently renamed Queenstown in her honour, reverting after Independence.

The picture – one of the very few visual records of the visit, is estimated at €20,000-€30,000.