A jewel-encrusted cow designed by John Rocha has sold in Ireland for €125,000 to smash a world record, it was announced today.
The Cow Parade auction in Dublin last night saw 69 life-size fibreglass cows sold off to raise money for two Irish charities, the Simon Community and the Jack And Jill Foundation.
The cows were first displayed across the city last summer, amusing and bemusing the public on the streets, in parks and shopping centres.
Fashion designer Rocha's Wagamoomoo cow was encrusted with 15,000 Waterford Crystal jewels and the price it raised is a record for the global Cow Parade event. The previous world record was held by a cow sold in New York for €104,000.
Dublin artist Rasher's "Poppy" - painted with his trademark poppies - was auctioned for €18,000, while other high-selling cows included that by another Irish artist, Felim Egan, bought by John Rocha for €16,000. Altogether more than €500,000 was raised for charity.
The Rocha cow, which has been on display in the Jervis Street shopping centre, was bought by Ronnie Delany of Japanese restaurant chain Wagamamas - the cow's sponsors.
He said he was thrilled and delighted to be able to keep the cow. "Cow Parade in America and Europe have acknowledged the John Rocha cow as being the best piece in the world and we are delighted to keep her here in Ireland ," he said.
Several bidders overseas expressed an interest in the Rocha cow and telephone bids were received throughout the night.
Cow Parade is described as a public art exhibition, but more than 50 per cent of the models were vandalised while on display in Dublin during the summer. They were removed and repaired before being put back on show in different locations with added security.