AUCTIONEER George Mealy described as unbelievable the two day fine art sale he conducted last week on his premises in Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny. "It's the best we've ever had in these rooms here," he said of the £750,000 made at the event, where a Regency period telescopic mahogany dining table owned by Viscount de Vesci made the top price of £38,000. The only other item among almost 1,400 lots to approach this figure was a late 19th century farmyard scene by Thomas Sydney Cooper which sold for £30,000.
However, a number of pieces did well, such as the George IV mahogany wine cooler made by Mack, Williams & Gibton and carrying the arms of the Smith family of Annesbrook; this surpassed its estimate of £7,000-£9,000 to go for £16,000. A set of four George III circular silver entree dishes, covers and liners by Paul Storr of London, circa 1807, made £15,000, a pair of 19th century cut glass gasoliers fetched £13,500 and an early George I silver sarcophagus shaped tea caddy went under the hammer at £13,000. The same price was realised by both a William IV Irish mahogany side table by Williams & Gibton and a George IV rosewood writing or library table.
Other prices at this auction included: £12,000 for a George II walnut tallboy; £9,500 for a George IV/early William IV mahogany side table attributed to Mack, Williams & Gibton; £8,500 for a large Irish sarcophagus shaped wine cooler by Williams & Gibton; £7,000 for a 19th century Chinese eight leaf black and gilt lacquered screen; £6,750 for a George III mahogany sideboard; and £6,000 for a Louis XV kingwood and tulipwood table.
