Victor Mee Auctions to host first decorative interiors sale of the year

As the ‘stay at home’ message continues to sound throughout the country, Cavan-based auction house Victor Mee Auctions, is helping to ensure homes across Ireland and throughout the world are the picture of comfort and style thanks to its upcoming January Decorative Interiors Sale.

Due to take place online across two days – Tuesday and Wednesday, January 26-27, at 2pm each day, the January Decorative Interiors Sale will include items hand-picked by the highly experienced Victor Mee Auctions team. Many lots appearing within the sale have been acquired by the auction house from across Ireland and the UK. Steeped in history and grandeur, bidders can expect interiors to range from unique chairs to exquisite art.

Forming a particularly interesting part of the upcoming sale is the complete former contents of ‘Old Town House’ in Co Longford, owned by antique trader Annie Molihan. Lots within this collection include an extremely rare French copper roll top bath (Lot 336), an exceptional quality William IV mahogany server (Lot 752), a giltwood and gesso overmantle mirror (Lot 753) and a mahogany D-ended dining table (Lot 761), all dating back to the early 19th century, and set to fetch between €500 - €2,000 at auction.

Expected to garner the interest of many online bidders are lots 752, 753 and 761 of Annie Molihan’s collection, due to their rich history. These lots originated from Lissard House in Co Longford, which was acquired in the mid-19th century by John Lewis More O’Ferrall, second son of Major Ambrose O’Ferrall and brother to Richard More O’Ferrall, Governor of Malta.

John’s grandson Gerald More O’Ferrall inherited Lissard House in 1914 and married Geraldine Fitzgerald, granddaughter of the 4th Duke of Leinster (qv). Later in 1934, Gerald led in the formation of the Edgeworthstown Tenants Association and, through this, made connections with the Irish Republican Army (IRA). The following year, Gerald found himself and his son caught in a confrontation between the Irish Garda and the IRA within Lissard House, which left them both badly wounded after the IRA opened fire before fleeing the scene. It is believed that the mahogany dining table (lot 761) and server (lot 752) were furnishing the exact room at the time where the shooting took place.

Commenting on the Co Longford lots, auctioneer Victor Mee said: “We love coming across antique pieces that tell a story, this is great way to bring the lots to life! Each lot is of high quality and inhabits a strong connection to Ireland’s political history, therefore we believe these lots will be of particular interest to bidders throughout the country and overseas.”

In continuing the theme of rich Irish heritage is lot 798 – an early 20th century oil painting portrait by Dr Joseph Boyd Barrett. Dr Barrett was a well-known Dublin physician and was one of just a few close friends of Arthur Griffith during the years of the Easter Rising. Griffiths was the founder of Sinn Féin and President of Dáil Éireann. This lot is expected to sell at auction between €200 to €400.

Now becoming a recurring feature in Victor Mee Auctions’ decorative interiors sales is the wide selection of highly sought-after chairs. The January Decorative Interiors Sale is no exception as it too will offer bidders a delectable array of stylish chairs that would make a statement piece in any home. Two lots of particular interest include lot 408, a pair of Edwardian carved walnut and upholstered armchairs on cabriole legs with crushed blue velvet upholstery and lot 326, a pair of exceptional quality early 20th century hand dyed leather deep buttoned Chesterfield club chairs.

“At Victor Mee Auctions we have an eye for a good chair, said Bryan Mee. “We feel that the chair is the centrepiece to many spaces within the home as it is a place to reside and relax. The comfort of a home can depend on the chair and we are excited to see who our fantastic selection of chairs goes home with!”

Victor Mee Auctions’ exclusive online sales proved extremely popular throughout 2020 and this year the team expects its online presence will continue to grow, with more bidders tuning in online from across the world.