Adam’s first “At Home” auction of the new year takes place Tuesday, February 27th, with a special emphasis on sustainability, and “the key role buying antique furniture and furnishings at auction contributes greatly to the sustainable initiative”.
In line with the concept of a circular economy, whereby goods are shared and reused, rather than sent to landfill, Adam’s wants to encourage new buyers, “by highlighting the benefits of acquiring affordable, well-made quality items that are built to last”.
And the auction house certainly has plenty of these, with its sale boasting some fine examples of furniture.
Lot 31 is a north European inlaid fruitwood commode, that is profusely decorated with flowers, musical instruments and birds of paradise (€4,000 – €6,000).
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On a more restrained note, there are a number of elegant Georgian slopefront bureaus, including an early example (lot 168, €2,000 – €4,000; lot 234 €800 – €1,200; and lot 286 €2,000 – €3,000). Each of these would be fitting in a sittingroom or office, offering storage for books, but also functioning as a small writing desk that opened when needed.
There is also a good collection of Georgian Limerick silver on offer, all coming from a single vendor (lots 72 – 84), a number of which were also formerly in the collection of the author on Irish glass, MS Dudley Westropp. There are examples from particularly rare makers such as Robert O’Shaughnessy, George Halloran and William Fitzgerald. Also, two rare Hanoverian pattern spoons, in which the tip of the handle is turned upwards, by Joseph Johns feature in the auction (Lot 80 & 81, €800 – €1,200 each).
The sale also boasts a large selection of garden furniture and sculptures, including campagna urns (lots 12 €800 – €1,200 and lot 14 €2,000 – €3,000); a garden bench (lot 15 €600 – €1,000) and a table and chairs (lot 11 €500 – €700). If you’re looking for something substantial for your garden, there are some stone sculptures of classical woman figures (lot 2 €1,000 – €1,500; lot 18 €600 – €800), or a more unusual find, a pair of Victorian period cast iron drain hoppers (lot 17 €200 – €300).
Artworks
The cover lot of the sale is a wonderful riverbank scene by French artist, Pierre Eugène Montézin. (lot 65 €5,000 – €7,000)
Born in Paris in 1847, Pierre Eugène Montézin was educated at the École de Beaux Arts. Montézin later apprenticed at the workshop of a decorator specialising in murals. At 19, Montézin submitted works for the first time to the Salon des Artistes Français, but it was not until 1903, 10 years later, that he would make his Salon debut. It was also the same year that he met and began to study under the impressionist painter Ernest Quost (1844-1931).
Throughout his career, Montézin showcased his works in prestigious exhibitions and influential galleries, including those at Galerie Georges Petit (1922), Galerie Charpentier (1933), Galerie du Journal (1936), and Galerie Durand-Ruel (1938).
The success of Montézin’s work brought him several accolades: after receiving the Rosa Bonheur Prize in 1920 he was named a Chevalier of the Legion d’Honneur, and subsequently promoted to Officer of the Legion d’Honneur. In 1932, he received the Medal of Honor at the Salon des Artistes Français, no landscape artist had won since Henri Harpignies (1819-1916) in 1897, and he was unanimously elected president of the Salon jury in the same year. In 1941 he was elected member of the Institut de France at the Académie des Beaux Arts succeeding Édouard Vuillard (1868-1940).
In 1925, seeking inspiration and serenity, Montézin purchased a property in Veneux-les-Sablons near Moret-sur-Loing. The present work depicts a fisherman at the riverbanks, relaxing in the shade of the trees with Veneux-les-Sablons emerging in the distance. The same landscape inspired Auguste Renoir (17841-1919), Claude Monet (1840-1826) and Camille Pissarro (1830-1903), who all painted similar scenes.
Montézin once remarked to the French critic, Louis Vauxcelles: “The subjects of the landscape painter are less in front of the artist’s eyes, than in his heart”.
For those with a smaller budget, there is another charming French picture in the sale, by an unknown painter.
Lot 122 (€1,000 – €1,500; the proceeds of this work will be donated directly to the Irish Cancer Society), is a lovely depiction of a Breton market scene in the 19th century, with the central figure of the composition dressed in the traditional coiffe bigoudène. While the artist is unknown, this region was of immense inspiration for a number of painters during the period.
Bidding is now live, and will begin to close from 11am on Tuesday 27th.
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