McAfee’s popular annual Christmas art sale

THE last sale of the year at McAfee Auctions is their annual Christmas sale of mainly Irish art, and what a sale it promises to be, going by the list of artists works included.

The sale of 120 works, by Irelands leading artists past and present also includes ten works from the family of the late Rev W.J Watson, and also important works from other estates.

Among the works by Ireland’s leading artists from the past is a crayon by the popular William Conor, measuring 14.5” x 12”, it depicts an old lady sleeping, and the painting ‘Taking a Nap’ is estimated at £4,500 - £5,500.

An oil by Maurice C Wilks ‘The Mourne Mountains from Rossglass Co.Down’ measuring 12”x16”, and a nice Arthur Twells of a ‘Farmstead near Westport’ measuring 14” x 16”, estimated at £400-£500, are among the more traditional pieces included as is a very nice watercolour by the late Frank McKelvey. The watercolour measuring 13½” x 20” of a gypsy caravan and folk sitting around the camp fire, is a really nice example of McKelveys work, and is being offered along with a watercolour by David Hall McEwan of a Fisherman fishing on the Sprey, the watercolour is estimated at £300-£400 only.

A large Markey 15½” x 22’ of a fishing village is among one of the more contemporary paintings in the sale, as are works by Rooney, Colin Flack, Hannnah O’Hanlon, Lorna Millar, Wilkinson and Carrie O’Duinn.

The leading artists works included in the sale include Sam McLarnon, William Cunningham, Noel Shaw, Victor Cerefice, J W Carey, G W Morrison, Dennis Ormeshaw, Con Campbell, Des Murrie, Gerry Glynn, Tom McGoldrick, James McNulty, Martin Hasson, and many more.

This year’s Christmas Sale also includes ten works from the family of the late W.J Watson and represent the variety and skill of his renowned talent. A Presbyterian minister at Roseyards, outside Ballymoney for over 40 years, Rev Watson was a well known hackney, and hackney judge throughout the UK, and was awarded the M.B.E in 1996.

The ten lots in the sale include large oil 28” x 36” ‘Chatsworth at Christmas’ (PICTURED RIGHT) and the lot selected by auctioneer Gerry McAfee as the cover for this year’s Christmas catalogue.

Two particular fine oils in the selection are one of ‘The First Hackney Show’ in the agricultural hall, copied from the original and another copy of ‘Bad News from the Front’ World War 1 both after J .Charlton (1849-1917).

Viewing for the sale commences on Tuesday 11th and Wednesday 12th December 3-5 pm and 7pm-8.30pm and day of sale from 3.30 – 7pm.

The entire sale is available to view on line at mcafeeauctions.com. Further details for auction on 028 276 67669

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