AFTER a summer lull, the autumn sales season begins properly this week two auctions, the first of them next Wednesday when Hamilton Osborne King will be holding a 400-lot sale at the company's rooms in Blackrock, Co Dublin.
Almost every area of interest will be covered at this event, with silver represented by such items as a three-piece English tea service from the start of this century (estimate £300-£500) and an American rose bowl (£250-£350).
Porcelain and glass includes, among the former, a 19th century continental tureen and cover (£300-£500)and a set of six turn-of-the-century chocolate cups and saucers (£250-£400).
The selection of furniture is diverse, running from a mid-19th century mahogany, framed sofa (£1,500-£2,000)to a pair of late 19th century bronze urns, probably French, featuring shells supported by winged mermaids (£400-£600).
Drums of Malahide holds its next furniture and fine art auction in the company's salesrooms next Thursday, starting at 7 p.m., with the majority of lots, coming from two Co Dublin houses. Two of the finest items, which carry the same pre-sale estimate of £1,000-£1,500, are a rosewood, William IV davenport, with full drawers on one side and blind drawers on the other, and a longcase clock by Hannan of Dublin.
Other furniture includes a set of eight mahogany cork-back diningroom chairs in the antique style (£1,200-£1,500; a William IV figured mahogany pedestal sideboard (£800-£1,000); and an Edwardian slim display cabinet, with glass on all four sides and interior shelving (£800-£1,200).
