The 150-lot collection came from O'Reilly’s previous home, Castlemartin in Co.Kildare, which changed hands in 2015 following the high profile bankruptcy of the former chief of Independent Newspapers.
Stylistically the tables had similarities to sculptural pieces by Georgian architect and furniture designer William Kent with their carved classical details, mouldings and marble tops, although the auctioneers said they had undergone some work over the years.
It is not known how or when O'Reilly acquired them but auctioneer George Gerard Mealy said the console tables “had a bit of magic”. Bidders clearly agreed as they surpassed an €8000-15,000 estimate and were eventually knocked down at €145,000 (£128,090). The buyer was described as a UK-Irish dealer.
The hammer total from the O'Reilly lots was approximately €300,000 with Mealy’s posting an overall €750,000 raised from their ‘Autumn Sale’.
