24 February 2016

Fonsie Mealy Auctioneers will conduct the Chatsworth Spring Fine Art Sale in their auction rooms at Chatsworth Street, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny on Tuesday 8th March. The auction will include an interesting collection of antiques, fine art and rare artefacts, which can be viewed on Sunday 6th and Monday 7th of March.

The sale, which comprises of over 700 lots, has been formed from a wide variety of private sources and offers fine Irish furniture, silver and other curiosities.

The MacNamara family, who resided at Moyriesk and Ballyline, Co. Clare, have graced this collection with the surviving four of six, mid-17th century MacNamara family portraits, together with other important family heirlooms.

Some historical pieces of interest included in the auction are, 18th and 19th Century fireplaces. One in particular is made of carved Carrara marble, circa 1760 and was once housed in the front drawing room of 1798 rebellion leader, Theobold Wolfe Tone, No. 44 Stafford Street now Wolfe Tone Street, Dublin. There is also a monumental solid oak carved fire surround, rescued from Woodstock House, Inistioge, Kilkenny home of the Tighe Family and destroyed during the “Troubles” in the 1920’s, this fine house is now reduced to a dilapidated shell.

Another item of note is a rare and remarkable 19th Century French Diorama, “The Paper Factory”, which is staffed by mice and depicts in great detail with equipment, book press and other varied tools, the process of making paper. Similar detailed examples have attracted spirited bidding in past auctions.

Also included in the auction is a private gentleman’s collection of approximately 30 lots of sovereign and half sovereign gold coin pieces and for the connoisseur, a collection of about 30 lots of fine wines and ports formerly from Boden Park House, Dublin.

A fine selection of militaria items such as guns and swords are also being offered for the first time, by a private Irish collector and from another source is a set of Purdey guns, a brand favoured by the British Royal family. These two fine quality 12 bore, 30 inch double barrel, Purdey Sporting Guns with finely engraved locks are both housed in a brass bound leather pair case, with the monogram “W” for Lord Waterford of Curraghmore.

Speaking about the auction, George Fonsie Mealy, Director, Fonsie Mealy Auctioneers, said, “This is another exciting Chatsworth sale, with many unusual items. Each piece in this year’s Spring sale has a story to tell and a collection as extensive and varied as this will always include some hidden gems”.

Viewing will take place on Sunday 6th March from 12noon - 5pm and Monday 7th March from 10.30am - 5pm in The Old Cinema, Chatsworth Street, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny. The sale will take place at the same venue on Tuesday, 8th March from 10.30am.

For more information about the auction, visit www.fonsiemealy.ie, or call 056 4441229