HOLY SHOWS FOR CHRISTMAS

Fine arts auctions this month to help you iron out some pressies with a real difference

MATTHEWS

A linen-covered American travel box (est €300 to €500) that possibly belonged to John F Kennedy is among the lots on offer at Matthews’ auction rooms tomorrow and Sunday. The box, which may have been left in Dublin by JFK, is certainly marked with the correct initials. “I know it’s only a travel box, but it’s a nice thing and certainly of some interest to those who collect John F Kennedy memorabilia,” says Damien Matthews, auctioneer. The auction will be held in Dukes Brothers, 7

Market Street,

Kells, beginning at 1pm each day. See matthewsauctionrooms.com.

FONSIE MEALY

Fonsie Mealy Auctioneers will hold a rare book sale at the Tara Towers Hotel, Dublin, on December 5. Collectors of children’s books will note a very rare copy of The Story of the Discontented Little Elephant, told in Pictures and Rhyme (1912) by Edith Somerville (est €500 to €700). There is also a collection of children’s books (est €180 to €220) by Walter Crane and Randolph Caldecott including This Little Pig His Picture-Book 1895 by Walter Crane. Other Christmassy items include an early hand-coloured Cuala Press Print, The Child Jesus & Virgin Mary (inset, est €200 to €300) which features the Virgin Mary doing the ironing! See fonsiemealy.ie.

VICTOR MITCHELL

Lots of interest at the next auction in Victor Mitchell’s Mount Butler salerooms, Roscrea, Co Tipperary on December 6, include a seven-foot long Regency mahogany sideboard (est

€800 to €1,000); a Regency walnut credenza (est

€800 to €1,000); an Adams white marble fireplace (est

€1,200 to €1,500); a bronze bird bath by sculptor John Behan (est €1,200 to

€1,500); and Persian floor rugs. Previews tomorrow/Sunday from 1pm to

6pm and Monday/ Tuesday, 9am to

6.30pm. See victormitchell.com.

HIBERNIAN ANTIQUE FAIRS

Silver spoons anyone? If you weren’t born with one in your mouth, there are plenty on offer at the Kinsale Christmas Antiques Fair tomorrow and Sunday in Acton’s Hotel. The fair includes some very special silver spoons, brought down by JW Weldon of Clarendon Street: a pair of bright cut antique Cork tablespoons, circa 1790, by William Reynolds (€1,250); a set of

18 Irish silver soup spoons/ dinner spoons, Dublin 1751 by John Pittar, engraved with the crest of Clotworthy Skeffington, First Earl Massereene, (1715-1757)

(€4,750); and an Irish soup ladle, Dublin hallmarked

1772 (€1,450). You need to have been born with one in your mouth to afford one, but there are items at pocket-money prices.