INTRODUCTION
I feel very sad seeing all these different things coming up for sale becasue every one of them reminds me of the great times I had with the Bragas. They were intimate friends of mine, who went yachting with me in the Mediterranean, and then I looked forward so much to going to their welcoming house in New Jersey, which was full of wonderful things that both George and Gioia acquired because of their taste and knowledge. They never bought anything just because it was a beautiful object, but often because there was some connection with their families. The whole atmosphere of the house was of welcoming exquisite taste but at the same time a place where one could really relax and enjoy oneself, not only in the house but on the lovely grounds around as well. Best of all, they both had such a wonderful sense of humour - we all laughed together, and about each other.
DROMOLAND CASTLE
In December 1962 Mrs. Braga flew to Ireland to attend the house sale at Dromoland Castle, Co. Clare. This magnificent early 19th Century Gothic castle was the ancestral home of the ancient Irish dynasty of O'Brien, Mrs Braga's mother's family. The sale was being held on the instructions of the 16th Lord Inchiquin, Mrs. Braga's first cousin. Mrs Braga's mother was brought up at Dromoland and later married the Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi. At the Dromoland Castle sale Mrs Braga bought many of the best sporting paintings (of which several are included in lots 1-13 in this sale) and several other items of family interest including many books with her grandfather Lucius O'Brien's bookplate and family portraits (lots 315, 316, 320 and 324 in this sale).
AFTERNOON SESSION
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1996
AT 2:00 P.M.
(Lots 201-382)
ENGLISH AND CONTINENTAL CERAMICS AND GLASS
AN ASSEMBLED PART PEARLWARE SERVICE
Details
AN ASSEMBLED PART PEARLWARE SERVICE
CIRCA 1820, PIECES WITH THE BLUE RIM DAVENPORT, IMPRESSED MARKS
Each piece painted with a cut floral specimen, some wear and flaking, some chips, comprising:
Four pierced baskets and stands, red rims, 9in. (23cm.) wide
A quatrefoil sauce-tureen, cover and stand, red rim, 8½in. (21.5cm.) wide, the stand
Two shaped-oval dishes, red rims, 10½in. (26.6cm.) wide
Two shaped-square dishes, red rims, 7 7/8in. (20cm.) square
Eight plates, red rims, 8in. (20.3cm.) diam.
Two pierced baskets and stands and another stand, blue rims, 10in. (25.5cm.) wide
Two shell-shaped dishes, blue rims, 9 3/8in. (23.8cm.) wide
A cartouche-shaped dish, blue rim, 10½in. (26.6cm.) wide
A shaped-rectangular shallow bowl, 10 3/8in. (26.4cm.) wide
A two-handled footed compote, blue rim, 10¾in. (27.3cm.) wide
Four plates, blue rims, 7¾in. (19.7cm.) diam.
(A detailed condition report is available on request)
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CIRCA 1820, PIECES WITH THE BLUE RIM DAVENPORT, IMPRESSED MARKS
Each piece painted with a cut floral specimen, some wear and flaking, some chips, comprising:
Four pierced baskets and stands, red rims, 9in. (23cm.) wide
A quatrefoil sauce-tureen, cover and stand, red rim, 8½in. (21.5cm.) wide, the stand
Two shaped-oval dishes, red rims, 10½in. (26.6cm.) wide
Two shaped-square dishes, red rims, 7 7/8in. (20cm.) square
Eight plates, red rims, 8in. (20.3cm.) diam.
Two pierced baskets and stands and another stand, blue rims, 10in. (25.5cm.) wide
Two shell-shaped dishes, blue rims, 9 3/8in. (23.8cm.) wide
A cartouche-shaped dish, blue rim, 10½in. (26.6cm.) wide
A shaped-rectangular shallow bowl, 10 3/8in. (26.4cm.) wide
A two-handled footed compote, blue rim, 10¾in. (27.3cm.) wide
Four plates, blue rims, 7¾in. (19.7cm.) diam.
(A detailed condition report is available on request)
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