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Frederik Ebbesen Grue (American, 1951-1995), still life of Chinese vases, figure and fruit, signed oil on panel, inscribed verso: ‘The Arbour Collection,’ 36 inches by 29 1/2 inches, est. $19,888-$33,146. Image courtesy of Sheppards Irish Auction House.

Whittaker Collection puts spotlight on Sheppards Irish Auction, Sept. 28-29

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf
Frederik Ebbesen Grue (American, 1951-1995), still life of Chinese vases, figure and fruit, signed oil on panel, inscribed verso: ‘The Arbour Collection,’ 36 inches by 29 1/2 inches, est. $19,888-$33,146. Image courtesy of Sheppards Irish Auction House.
Frederik Ebbesen Grue (American, 1951-1995), still life of Chinese vases, figure and fruit, signed oil on panel, inscribed verso: ‘The Arbour Collection,’ 36 inches by 29 1/2 inches, est. $19,888-$33,146. Image courtesy of Sheppards Irish Auction House.

DURROW, Ireland – Anyone reading the auction catalog for Sheppards Irish Auction House’s sale Sept. 28-29 will notice it is titled The Collection of Roger Whittaker, and will wonder, ‘Is that THE Roger Whittaker, and what has happened to the popular singer-songwriter who has sold millions of albums worldwide?’

The 74-year-old entertainer is alive and well, according to his official Web site, and has even booked a concert tour of Germany in March. Yet Whittaker and his wife, Natalie, like many couples their age, have decided to downsize.

Fine antiques and collectibles will be sold by Sheppards on Tuesday, Sept. 28, and Wednesday, Sept. 29, starting at 10:30 a.m. local time (5:30 a.m. Eastern) both days. LiveAuctioneers will provide Internet live bidding.

Some lots have obvious ties to Whittaker’s adopted home, including a death mask of Irish poet and novelist Patrick Kavanagh (1904-1967) by Irish sculptor Seamus Murphy. Mounted on a mahogany inverted cavetto plaque, the mask is one of three in existence. It has an estimate of $3,977-$6,629.

An important Irish 19th-century carved mahogany side table, more than 9 feet wide, centered by a cartouche depicting an easel with canvas, books, musical instruments, a sculpted bust and a Roman villa, is expected to sell for more than $19,000.

A George III period Irish pier mirror, 64 inches high by 37 1/3 inches wide, also has a $1,000-$33,150 estimate.

Paintings will include three still life works by California artist Frederik Ebbesen Grue (1951-1995), each with $19,888-$33146 estimates.

Whittaker’s upbringing in Kenya is reflected in a pair of bronze cheetahs he commissioned. Each seated in an upright position, the big cats are 40 inches tall and have a $6,630-$10,600 estimate.

Wildlife artist Ian Coleman’s signed oil on canvas, dated 2001, of two cheetah looking at a tortoise, 34 inches by 48 inches, has a $8,030-$12,050 estimate.

Relating to Whittaker’s music career is a Taylor limited edition six-string guitar, number 17 of 100, which was crafted circa 1991. It carries a $1,060-$1,590 estimate.

Among the estate jewelry in the auction is an 18-karat gold Jaeger Le Coultre reverso wristwatch with crocodile skin band and original box. This fine timepiece in the original box has a $3,977-$6,630 estimate.

The auction will be conducted at Sheppards Irish Auction House galleries at Durrow, County Laois, 90 minutes southwest of Dublin.

For details e-mail Michael Sheppard at info@sheppards.ie

 

 

View the fully illustrated catalog and register to bid absentee or live via the Internet as the sale is taking place by logging on to www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

Death mask of Irish poet and novelist Patrick Kavanagh by Seamus Murphy (Irish, 1907-1975), dated 1967, mounted on a mahogany inverted cavetto plaque, one of three in existence, 10 3/4 inches high, est. $3,977-$6,629. Image courtesy of Sheppards Irish Auction House.
Death mask of Irish poet and novelist Patrick Kavanagh by Seamus Murphy (Irish, 1907-1975), dated 1967, mounted on a mahogany inverted cavetto plaque, one of three in existence, 10 3/4 inches high, est. $3,977-$6,629. Image courtesy of Sheppards Irish Auction House.
Important set of 10 Chippendale-style dining chairs by Weir and Hamilton, circa 1900, by appointment to her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, each with an armorial inverted arched paneled back, est. $10,606-$15,909. Image courtesy of Sheppards Irish Auction House.
Important set of 10 Chippendale-style dining chairs by Weir and Hamilton, circa 1900, by appointment to her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, each with an armorial inverted arched paneled back, est. $10,606-$15,909. Image courtesy of Sheppards Irish Auction House.
E. Ferrarini, bust of a young woman wearing a veil and a lace bodice, 22 1/2 inches high, est. $3.977-$6,630. Image courtesy of Sheppards Irish Auction House.
E. Ferrarini, bust of a young woman wearing a veil and a lace bodice, 22 1/2 inches high, est. $3.977-$6,630. Image courtesy of Sheppards Irish Auction House.
Nineteenth-century mahogany breakfront bookcase with three arched glazed doors, 91 1/2 inches high by 84 inches wide, est. $6,630-$10,606. Image courtesy of Sheppards Irish Auction House.
Nineteenth-century mahogany breakfront bookcase with three arched glazed doors, 91 1/2 inches high by 84 inches wide, est. $6,630-$10,606. Image courtesy of Sheppards Irish Auction House.
Rare Taylor limited-edition guitar, 17/100, six string, San Diego mother of pearl inlaid turtle motif, circa 1991, est., $1,060-$1,590. Image courtesy of Sheppards Irish Auction House.
Rare Taylor limited-edition guitar, 17/100, six string, San Diego mother of pearl inlaid turtle motif, circa 1991, est., $1,060-$1,590. Image courtesy of Sheppards Irish Auction House.