Treasure trove goes under hammer

Date Published: 13-Nov-2009

ANTIQUE and art lovers will have a chance to indulge their passion when 200 works of art and 300 items of furniture and fittings go under the hammer next Sunday in Kennys Auction Room in the Liosbán Estate.

This major event includes work by major artists including Francis Bacon, Patrick Hennessy, Louis le Brocquy, Kenneth Webb and Eddie Delaney as well as furniture from the Edwardian, Georgian, Victorian and later eras, including china and other items.

The auction is a joint venture between Kennys Bookshop & Art Gallery and Mullens Auctioneers in Bray, following an approach to Kennys by Joe Mullens, explains Conor Kenny of the gallery.

This isn’t the first time that Kennys have been involved in auctions, he adds, but it’s the first that is being held in their own space, located above the bindery, a series of rooms that allow the pieces to be displayed to maximum advantage.

Mullens and Kennys have travelled the country over the last six months sourcing art and furniture for this sale. “Joe Mullens brought in the furniture and we have brought in the art,” says Conor. “Most of the art comes from two collections. Because of the recession the two collectors are selling and the reserves are pretty minimal.”

For instance, a piece by Graham Knuttel that was commissioned for €15,000 has a guide price of between €5,000 and €6,000. There are also several paintings by Rasher, the man made popular by Bono, and the same rules apply.

A piece by Rachel Strong entitled Night Life has a reserve of €6,000-€8,000 – a similar work sold in a gallery in Dublin for €40,000.

A Francis Bacon lithograph on paper – one of an edition of 30 – has a reserve of between €28,000 and €30,000, which is pricey but reasonable given the prices that Bacon’s work commands, says Conor.

There is also a limited series of prints by the recently deceased sculptor Eddie Delaney. This is being sold as a set, with a reserve of €1,800-€2,000. However, given that five sculptures by the artist sold for 10 times the reserve price at auction recently, be prepared for that figure to increase when the bidding starts.

The auction contains two Patrick Hennessy paintings, which have never been seen in Ireland before. One, entitled The Fledgling has a reserve of €7,000-€9,000. Kennys have previously sold some of his work for up to €30,000, says Conor.

Furniture highlights include a fine Victorian mahogany, walnut and polychrome occasional table by Gillow and Co, and an Edwardian mahogany desk, by Maple and Co as well as an Irish famine chairs, made from pine and elm.

Lot 202 is an extraordinary piece. The catalogue lists it as “An unusual Cream painted cupboard on chest modelled as a Georgian house”, and it has to be seen to be believed. Love it or hate it, it’s hard to ignore it. The guide price is €1500-€18000.

There is also a collection of tin boxes from the 1950, which would make an ideal prop for a theatre company or somebody kitting out an old-fashioned pub, although that might be a rare occurrence these days.

A set of stair rods, a pair of bird cages, a zither, and four milk jugs are among the more eclectic items on offer.

There is a real chance of getting value for money at the auction, says Conor, who says that, in the current climate, even those with money are reluctant to spend it. “It doesn’t matter what you market at present. People are nervous. I’ve never seen anything like it, hence there is huge value.

“But, having said that, the last five or six auctions in Ireland have been successful, including the one where Eddie Delaney’s work was sold.”

Kennys, who have been to the forefront of the art market in Ireland for decades, have survived tough times before and Conor is confident that they will ride out this storm. “We created the business and a huge amount of it was creating publicity, which is what we are doing now.” And if this auction is successful they intend to hold several such events annually.

Viewing times for the auction at Kennys is today Friday, from 10am-8pm, Saturday from 10am-6pm and Sunday from 10am-12 noon.

The auction starts at 12 noon on Sunday and Conor expects it to be concluded by 6pm that evening.