Reviews

TitleDateExcerpt
Cork silverware patterns across two centuries of craftCork has long been a quiet powerhouse in Irish decorative arts, and its silversmiths produced work that travelled far beyond the Lee. From the Georgian…
Bidding at auction without attending in personFor collectors from Sydney to Perth, the appeal of an Irish auction house now extends far beyond the doors of its Ballycurreen saleroom. Whether the draw is a…
What really drives the price of a 19th century landscape paintingWalking through a Sydney auction preview last spring, I watched a dealer lean in close to a tarnished gilt frame, squinting at a pastoral scene of shepherds…
The story behind Cork’s 19th-century mahogany dining tablesA 19th-century mahogany dining table carries more than a polished surface and attractive grain. It reflects the social habits, craftsmanship and international…
A collector's guide to online auction cataloguesOnline auction catalogues have redrawn the map for buyers who once relied on local fairs. A collector in Perth or Adelaide can now scroll through hundreds of…
How to prepare your antique furniture for auctionPreparing an antique cabinet, table, chair or writing desk for auction is a careful balance. The aim is to present the piece honestly, protect its original…
Irish and English Georgian silver: how to tell them apartGeorgian silver covers the reigns of George I through George IV, roughly 1714 to 1830, and includes some of the most desirable domestic silver made in Britain…
Why Irish Civil War Militaria Commands Serious Collector InterestMilitaria connected with the Irish Civil War has a distinctive appeal because it records a short, turbulent period when political ideals, military service and…
Valuing an Antique Clock: Key Factors to ConsiderAn antique clock can be a practical timekeeper, a piece of furniture and a record of changing technology. Its value depends on far more than age. The maker,…
How to consign a single painting to an auction houseConsigning one painting can be a practical way to reach collectors, dealers and private buyers without managing advertising, negotiations and payment yourself.…