The annual Irish Sale at Christie’s London realised £2,591,588 and was 73% sold by value. The top lot was Nathaniel Hone, R.A (1718-1784), Double portrait of Lieutenant-General the Hon. Philip Sherard and Captain William Tiffin, at the Battle of Brücke-Mühle, which realised £294,500.

Bernard Williams, International Director of Irish Art at Christie’s and Claire Bailey-Coombs, Head of Sale said: “We are particularly pleased that the majority of great Irish artists are represented in today’s annual Irish sale top ten. This demonstrates the current depth of demand, spanning three centuries from the 18th century to the contemporary. A bustling sale room saw animated bidding, with many of the top lots going to private collectors. Christie’s are thrilled to have been able to negotiate the private sale, prior to the auction, of the exemplary Harry Clarke stained glass window ‘Unhappy Judas’ to the National Museum of Ireland. This work is now returning home to Dublin, where it was created in 1913.”

Posted: 05|13|08 at 9:37 am. Filed under: Auction News.