Lifetime collection of antiques to go under the hammer
THE contents of a property which was once part of the famous Coollattin Estate will go under the hammer as the fine art and antique dealer owner prepares to retire.
The Game Keeper’s Lodge in Shillelagh has been the perfect home for owner Pat Martin’s superb collection of antiques, which have been gathered over a lifetime through auction and private sales at home and in the UK.
As he retires and prepares to downsize, Pat is selling the entire collection, along with the stunning countryside property.
The antiques auction takes place on Tuesday, October 23 at Mount Wolseley Hotel in Tullow and features a diverse and intriguing collection of furniture, art, clocks, weaponry, silver and bronze items, collectibles and garden statuary dating back to the 18th and 19th century.
Each item had been carefully chosen to sit within the lodge which was built by the Earl of Fitzwilliam, owner of Coollattin Estate, in the 1800s.
While there are eye-catching items throughout the Game Keeper’s Lodge, a mahogany Irish library chair (c1880) is expected to attract much interest. With a guide price of €2,500, it is upholstered in hide, and features fine carvings of lions heads on the knees and claw and ball feet.
A fine 19th century console table with guilt wood and marble top, an Irish 19th century hump back settee supported on lion’s pat feet and a 19th century buell cabinet inlaid with brass and tortoiseshell with ormolu mounts are all expected to sell well.
A mounted stag’s antlers on a mahogany wall plaque with lions’s head carved on top is centred around the Butler of Ormond family crest and is one of the more unusual items for sale.
A very collectible pair of rare early 20th century Austrian carved hunting dogs are also coming to auction, as is a quirky brass door stop with a fox’s head and whip design produced by the Peerage Company, complete with serial number.
Rare to find still in a set is a pair of William IV folding card tables in rose wood. Often such a pair would be split between family members so this is a special offering and in excellent condition.
Another lot which may attract lots of attention is a silver plated Victorian dish ring once owned by the famous actress Maureen O’Hara. The items fits well in Shillelagh given its wildlife themed motif and has a guide price of €200-300.
A ‘strong box’ owned by President Mary Robinson dating back to the time of George III could sell well at auction, if a serious enough collector is interested.
There are a number of rifles for sale including a mid-19th century needle fire rook rifle, (still in its case with serial number) owned by Thomas Arthur Grattan Bellow, who was married to Pauline Grattan, daughter of famous politician Henry Grattan.
Clock enthusiast or collectors will be suitably impressed by the Irish George II C 1740 Chippendale long-case clock. Crafted by George Martin, Dublin, the item is expected to fetch between €4000-6000.
The lodge itself which is on the market at €530,000 is steeped in history and sits on a mature, walled one acre site.
In the time of the Fitzwilliam family, it was occupied by estate staff and today, is located across the road from Coollattin Golf Club. The main lodge features four bedrooms, three reception rooms, a modernised kitchen, utility room, shower room, bathroom and study with independent access from outside.
Within the lodge’s grounds also sits a two-bedroom mews formerly known as ‘ The Butty’, the place where the groundsmen or ‘ beaters’ came for a sandwich.
Auction enquiries should be directed to Mullen’s, Laurel Park, Bray antiques@mullenslaurelpark.com 0879871183 and the property is on the market through Warren Estates in Gorey.