Today, the ‘Celtic Phoenix’ refers to Ireland’s recovering economy. However, Irish auction house Fonsie Mealy will include a cast-iron Irish phoenix in its July 25-26 sale in Castlecomer, County Kilkenny.
The 19th century piece had been mounted at the Royal Phoenix Iron Works in Dublin and was acquired by the vendor’s father when a wall was demolished in 1963.
According to the auction house, it bears a striking resemblance to other Dublin phoenixes: one mounted on the column on the main road in Phoenix Park and another at The Phoenix Lodge, later renamed the Áras an Uachtaráin – the official residence of the Irish president.
The 16in (41cm) high piece is estimated at €2000-3000.
fonsiemealy.ie or see this item on thesaleroom.com
A first edition of Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie (1890-1976) will go under the hammer at Dominic Winter of Cirencester on July 19-20.
Published in 1937, the popular book features the Belgian detective Hercule Poirot as he investigates a murder on the river in Egypt.
Estimate £2000-3000.
dominicwinter.co.uk or see this item on thesaleroom.com
A large Meiji period bronze okimono of a boy feeding a goose is priced at £3450 from Steve Sly Japanese Art in Dorset.
The 18½in (47cm) high piece depicts the boy holding a wafer high in the air, while the goose, which has gold and shakudo eyes, stands with its neck outstretched.
George Kidner’s July 20 sale in Lymington, Hampshire, will feature a still-life by Peter Collis (b.1929).
The 11 x 14in (28 x 35cm) oil, Still Life with Red Mug and Bottle, was formerly with the Fosse Gallery in Stow-on-the-Wold.
It is estimated at £1500-2000.
