Two weeks ago, this page carried a report on a pair of valuable items formerly in the collection of the Viscounts Powerscourt and now about to be auctioned in the James Adams salerooms. On the same occasion there are a number of other interesting lots, including a selection of porcelain the quantity and quality of which far exceed that normally found in this country.
The most valuable items in this part of the sale are likely to be those from the Meissen factory. As is widely known, this was the first manufacturing centre of porcelain to be established in Europe; prior to the 18th century, it was necessary to import such goods from China which jealously guarded the secret of production, just as it had once done with silk.
The items being offered by Adam's date from the 19th century but in style and character show influence of an earlier period. Probably the most delightful single lot is No. 199, part of what was once a large dinner service formerly owned by a Co. Limerick family and carrying it's crest; seemingly one piece from the collection is now housed in Limerick city's Hunt Museum and probably other pieces are in private collections.
What gives these plates and dishes their charm is that they have been individually decorated with polychromatic butterflies and insects, with no two pieces the same and none of the forms placed in an orderly form on the porcelain's surface- instead, the decoration is seems to hover over each piece. The lot contains 27 plates, eight soup plates and six oval serving dishes all with this ornamentation, plus 10 plates carrying only the above mentioned crest; the estimate given by the auctioneer's is £1,500 - £2,000.
Another piece of Meissen in this sale, lot 201, is described in the catalogue as "impressive" but dramatic might be a better place to use. Standing some 110 centimetres tall, it is a polychromatic table centre-piece, the stepped triangular pedestal adorned not just with applied floral swags but also three large figures of slaves representing different continents.
Among the smaller Meissen pieces are lot 65, a two-handed cup, saucer and lid, (£80-£120) and 166, a part dessert service with the centre of each plate decorated by hand-painted scenes (£1,500- £2,000). There are also some fine examples of Japanese, Chinese and Belleek porcelain on offer.
Limited space precludes giving much attention here to the furniture in this sale but it is worth mentioning lot 156, a pair of Irish William IV mahogany library tables with X-form side supports (£15,000-£20,000) and lot 123, a William IV mahogany circular centre table, with a pietra dura marble instep top. Look out too for some fine early 19th century Irish oval wall mirrors with applied glass frames such as lot 212( £1,00 - £2,000) and lot 152 ( £2,000-£4,000). Also featuring a selection of paintings, the auction takes place at Adam's next Wednesday at 11.30 am.
