As most auction rooms begin to wind down for Christmas, browsing through antique shops – rather than auction catalogues – in Dublin’s antique quarter is another way to satiate your appetite for antique furniture, lamps, silverware and lots more.
Although only a 15-minute walk from St Stephen’s Green, the atmosphere on Francis Street is a world apart. Not quite Rue St Jacques or Rue Saint-Honoré in Paris or Brera in Milan, there is nonetheless a stylish air to many of the shops, as well as a wealth of knowledge among the dealers, as they sit in their low-lit stores, ready to engage with customers.
Take, for example, Martin Fennelly Antiques, which has a good range of Art Deco glass and decanter sets – some of which have been rented out to film sets. Martin Fennelly points to the amethyst-coloured glass “Drunk” decanter set (€1,100) made by Austrian artist Koloman Moser, as one of the more unusual decanter sets in his shop. Moser was prominent in the Vienna Secession movement, which was linked to the international Art Nouveau style.
Michael Mortell also specialises in Art Deco items, as well as mid-century furniture, with some stunning drinks cabinets on display in his shop. The pair of silver-plated candelabras made by the 1950s French designer, Jean Després (€8,500), would make for an extravagant Christmas gift. An Art Deco silver-plated coffee set with a tray (€950) is perhaps a more affordable option.
RM Block
Further down the street, Patrick Howard Antiques specialises in highly ornate antique chess sets. He also has a range of ornate writing slopes in hinged wooden boxes. Originating in the late 18th century, these portable writing desks, padded with felt or leather, were most popular during the Georgian and Victorian eras among travelling military officers.
Connaught Antiques, run by brothers Philip and Mark Maguire, specialise in “Grand Tour” items, and export much of their stylish lamps, clocks, busts and tables to the United States.
“Objets d’art are our main focus now. It used to be that the smalls [decorative art items] were showing off the furniture, but now, it’s the furniture that is propping up the smalls,” says Philip Maguire.
The Collector’s Corner on Francis Street was formerly at 10 Ormond Quay, Dublin. Run by John Lynch, it has arguably the best variety of items and range of prices – especially if you are on the hunt for Christmas gifts.
“Waterford crystal is becoming fashionable again,” says Lynch, pointing to several sets of Waterford crystal glasses. There are also sets of pastry forks and spoons (€45) and bone-handled knives (€45) and lots of chinaware. An early 20th century porcelain footbath would make a stylish planter (€395).
Mervyn Blanc, who runs Yeats Country Antiques on Francis Street, and in Drumcliffe, Sligo, specialises in Victorian gilded over-mantle mirrors and console tables. He says that jewellery boxes, decanter sets and small bedside lockers are popular Christmas gifts.
Meanwhile, the public will get what is now a rare chance to see antiques in situ, as viewing of the contents of 12 Waterloo Road, Ballsbridge, continues today, tomorrow and Monday (Dec 6th-8th) from 11am-6pm. The house was owned by the late Trinidad-born singer, Mona Baptiste and her husband, William Morrison, who worked for the Irish Tourist Board, later Bord Fáilte.
The stylish international couple were avid collectors of antique furniture, books, rugs, silver, mirrors, porcelain and art.
Damian Matthews will conduct the auction at 12 Waterloo Road on Tuesday, December 9th at 12.30pm. It will also include the contents of a recently sold house on Sydney Parade Avenue in Sandymount, Dublin.
Finally, Sheppard’s Irish Auction House in Durrow, Co Laois, is the last of the auction rooms to host a pre-Christmas Irish and International Art auction. The auction, which includes a wide range of paintings and prints by artists from the 19th century to 21st century, will go ahead on Thursday, December 11th.
Included in the 200 + lots are pencil sketches by John Butler Yeats (1839-1922); a lithograph by Pablo Picasso (1881-1973); and prints by Sean Scully (born 1945).
Two still life paintings by Northern Irish artist, Gladys Maccabe, including Still Life: flower and apples (€1,500-€2,500), are noteworthy. Maccabe who lived to be 99, was the founder of the Ulster Society of Women Artists and a fashion and arts correspondent in the 1960s.
Patrick-howard-antiques.com; michaelmortell.ie; Fennelly.net; connaughtantiques.com; Thecollectorscorner.com; yeatscountryantiques.ie; Matthewsauctionrooms.com; sheppards.ie
What did it sell for?
Coastal Landscape with Galway Hookers, Paul Henry
- Estimate: €150,000
- Hammer price: €170,000
- Auction house: Adam’s
Night Cargo, Hughie O’Donoghue
- Estimate: €20,000 – €30,000
- Hammer price: €20,000
- Auction house: Adam’s
Nuremberg Chronicle
- Estimate: €20,000-€30,000
- Hammer price: €35,000
- Auction house: Purcell Auctioneers
Kashmir sapphire ring
- Estimate: €100,000-€150,000
- Hammer price: €280,000
- Auction house: Adam’s
