Three dolls’ houses from the collection of Vivien Greene (1904-2003), the leading authority on dolls’ houses and wife of English novelist Graham Greene, are up for sale in Ireland. The trio will be offered at Fonsie Mealy’s Summer Fine Art Sale in Co Kilkenny on July 23 with the proceeds to be distributed among various Irish children’s charities.
Portobello, above, dates from 1700-10 and is one of the earliest-known dolls’ houses in Britain and Ireland, with the furniture and fittings in keeping with the period of the house. Until recently, it was one of the attractions of the Tara's Palace and Museum of Childhood collection in Powerscourt House, Enniskerry, Co Wicklow. It carries a €8000-12,000 guide.
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This Victorian gold and silver brooch set above, with graduated turquoise stones in the form of a Coburg eagle, bears a ‘striking resemblance’ to 12 that was given as gifts to the train bearers at the wedding of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1840, according to Norfolk saleroom Keys.
The brooches, designed by Prince Albert and made by London jeweller Charles Du Vé, were given to all 12 train bearers, the unmarried daughters of nobility.
Keys is selling the piece in a three-day summer sale on July 24-26 estimated at £5000-8000. It has passed by descent to the vendor who is the great great-great-granddaughter of the English sugar merchant and philanthropist Sir Henry Tate.
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This Chinese porcelain celadon bowl above discovered during a routine house inspection at a property just outside Bath carries hopes of £20,000-30,000 in the Fine Art & Antiques auction at Aldridges of Bath on July 30.
The large 13½in (34cm) diameter bowl has a period Yongzheng six-character seal mark and is carved with sprays of blossom, fruiting branches and the ‘three abundances’ motif (suando).
