Over 500 lots of Irish history to go under the hammer
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Large Edwardian Irish four-door breakfront bookcase, salvaged from RMS Celtic. The upper section features decorative glazing bars inlaid with seashells, while the base has fine marquetry panels and an inset brass letterbox, used for posting mail at sea. The bookcase was made by Harland and Wolff’s own cabinet-makers and was salvaged circa 10 December 1929 by the Liverpool and Glasgow Salvage Association. Estimate: €20,000–€30,000.Image 2 of 4
Rare ticket for the historic Tipperary v Dublin match at Croke Park on 21 November 1920 at 2:45pm, printed with an admission price of 1/-. The match became forever associated with Bloody Sunday, when Crown forces opened fire on players and spectators. Fourteen people lost their lives, including Tipperary footballer Michael Hogan. Estimate: €4,000–€6,000.Image 3 of 4
Irish prison-art harp made in the 1970s by Liam Coyle, an IRA prisoner at Long Kesh. Estimate: €2,000–€4,000.Image 4 of 4
Celtic-decorated 18ct Irish gold and silver chalice, hallmarked in Cork in 1926. Estimate: €8,000–€16,000.Rare 1916 artwork, RMS Celtic furniture, Irish vernacular furniture, Killarney work, bog oak and Coalisland pottery feature in The Irish Heritage Collection Sale at the upcoming Irish Heritage Collection Sale at Victor Mee Auctions
More than a year in the making, the specialist online sale, Tuesday, September 15, brings together an exceptional collection of Irish furniture, folk art and decorative arts, including rare vernacular and Georgian furniture, Killarney work, bog oak, pottery and objects connected with defining moments in Irish history.
Among the highlights is Lot 263, the Birth of the Irish Republic, an extremely rare early 20th-century oil depicting a scene inside Dublin's GPO during Easter Week 1916. It shows an injured James Connolly, with Pádraig Pearse, Thomas Clarke and Joseph Plunkett looking on. Attributed to Michael Rogers, who was present in the GPO during the Rising, it carries an estimate of €8-12,000.
Another remarkable historical object is Lot 43, a large Edwardian four-door breakfront bookcase salvaged from the White Star liner RMS Celtic. Made by Harland & Wolff's cabinet-makers, it features decorative glazing, fine marquetry and an inset brass letterbox once used for posting mail at sea. Salvaged in 1929, it is estimated at €20-30,000.
“What makes this sale particularly special is the breadth of Irish history represented. There are pieces connected with defining moments in our history, alongside objects that tell us about everyday life in Irish homes and the craftsmen who made them,” says principle auctioneer, Victor Mee.
“Good Irish vernacular furniture, Killarney work and pieces like these are becoming increasingly difficult to find. The collection of bog oak pieces is the single most expansive and impressive collection of bog oak we’ve ever encountered.”
Irish vernacular furniture feature throughout the Irish Heritage Collection Sale, with regional examples including Lot 325, an extremely rare early 20th-century painted-pine hedge chair made by a Lough Neagh boat builder, guiding at €1-2,000. Other highlights include an 18th-century Co Fermanagh elm hedge chair, a Gibson of Oldcastle hedge chair, a painted Galway dresser and an early 19th-century Monaghan kitchen dresser.
The sale features a substantial collection of 19th-century Killarney work, led by Lot 206, an Irish Killarney wood, arbutus and marquetry davenport decorated with a crowned harp, eagle and deer, shamrocks, thistles and roses, alongside views of the Swiss Cottage, Muckross House and other historic buildings, estimated at €10-15,000.
An extensive collection of Irish bog oak meanwhile includes carved boxes and desk pieces alongside distinctive works depicting Irish symbols and figures, including Queen Maeve, harps, round towers and wolfhounds.
Irish ceramics are also represented by scarce 19th-century Coalisland Ulster Pottery, including bird-nest vases, a teapot and flower-decorated water jug, alongside Irish spongeware.
Other notable historical pieces include Lot 319, a rare ticket from the Tipperary versus Dublin match at Croke Park on Bloody Sunday, November 21, 1920, listed at €4-6,000; and Lot 95, a 1970s prison-art harp made by IRA prisoner Liam Coyle in Long Kesh, estimated at €2-4,000.
The Irish Heritage Collection Sale takes place live online from 2pm, Tuesday, September 15.
The complete catalogue is available online, with bidding available in advance and throughout the sale. Viewing at the Victor Mee Auctions salesrooms run September 11-14, 10am–5pm daily.