Maureen O'Hara jewellery and furs collection for auction

Viewing has opened on the West Cork jewellery and furs collection of Hollywood movie star Maureen O’Hara, which is being auctioned next week by Sheppard’s Irish Auction House at Durrow, Co Laois.

The Hollywood star, whose family is originally from Kells, died in 2015, aged 95. She was awarded the freedom of Kells in a lavish ceremony and dinner in 2012.

Maureen O’Hara’s jewellery and furs faithfully reflect the pinnacle of Hollywood glamour and luxury. Lots include a Christian Dior full-length white mink coat is trimmed with Arctic fox fur and lined throughout with silk. The famously redheaded actress, known for her beauty and playing fiercely passionate but sensible heroines, is photographed wearing this coat in a beautiful silver-framed image.

Jewellery highlights from the O’Hara Collection include:

Lot 845 is a relatively rare 18 ct white gold round brilliant cut diamond ring with baguette diamond shoulders. The centre round brilliant cut diamond weighs 8.3 ct, is J-K in colour, VS2 clarity and has a diameter of 1.4 cm. The baguettes: Weight .65; Colour H-I, and Clarity VS. The diamond is an approximate 1.4 cm. in diameter. (Estimate: €100,000 – 150,000).

Lot 846 is a wonderful lively 18 ct white gold round brilliant cut diamond solitaire ring. It has a diamond weight of 5.03 ct. and measures an approximate diameter of 1.1 cm. (Estimate: €50,000 – 70,000).

Lot 968 is an exquisite 18 ct. yellow and white gold natural Colombian emerald and round brilliant cut diamond pendant. The emerald weight is in excess of 26 ct. and the diamond weight exceeds 3.5 ct. The pendant is 42 cm. in length and the emerald measures an approximate 2 x 2 cm. (Estimate: €50,000 – 70,000).

Lot 969 is a very rare 18 ct. white and yellow gold natural Colombian emerald and round brilliant cut diamond bangle. The emerald weight is in excess of 27 ct. while the diamond weight exceeds 3.00 ct. The dimensions of the emerald are approximately 1.6 x 1.4 cm. while the opening is an approximate 5 x 5.5 cm. (Estimate: €60,000 – 80,000).

Also for sale in the same auction is the collections of former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson. Mrs Robinson,  who also served as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, has sold her Victorian fishing lodge – Massbrook House – overlooking Lough Conn in County Mayo and is now downsizing to Dublin.

Consigned lots from Massbrook House include an exceptional, large Aesthetic Revival oak library table (Lot 129) by Holland & Sons, London. The expansive oval tooled leather top, above a leaf carved frieze, is raised on spiral legs and joined by stretcher rails. It is 254 cm. long and 150 cm. wide and is estimated at €5,000 – 7,000.

Pottery commissioned for use by President Robinson in the private apartments at Áras an Uachtaráin is also on offer. Every single piece of the tin-glazed pottery was hand-painted with metallic oxides brushed into the raw glaze by renowned Irish potter Anthony O’Brien. The motifs employed include a deer; synonymous with Dublin’s Phoenix Park where the presidential residence is located, and the Irish harp that has a certain history dating back at least 1,000 years. A representation of the harp is to be found on the Presidential Seal. When Henry VIII declared himself King of Ireland in 1531, the harp was chosen as the official national symbol of Ireland. It first appeared on Irish coins in 1536-37 and continues to perform this significant function today. Anthony O’Brien’s original designs for the customised Robinson tableware are the opening lots in the sale.

A Dublin George III brass hanging hall lantern (Lot 549) originally illuminated and decorated the vestibule of a medical doctor’s house on the prestigious St Stephen’s Green before being relocated to Massbrook House. The lantern is of hexagonal form with engraved glass-panelled sides suspended on scroll arms. The 76 cm. high body of the lantern is 40 cm. wide and is modestly estimated at €1,500 – 2,500.

What: Dublin & Provincial: Collection of former President Mary Robinson and Collection of Maureen O’Hara and other important clients.

Where: Sheppard’s, The Square, Durrow, County Laois, R32 FN88, Ireland

Preview: 25 – 27 November, 10 am – 5 pm each day

Auction: 28 – 29 November, 10:30 am each day - Robinson collection Tuesday; O'Hara Collection Wednesday.

Website: www.sheppards.ie