Highlights from Adam's The Library Collection Auction

First up on this week’s featured lots is this stunning View of Palermo by influential dutch painter Gaspar Van Vittel. Famed for playing a pivotal role in developing the genre of Veduta - a specialism in Italy in the 17th and 18th centuries - Van Wittel’s View of Palermo shows the cultural and historical capital of Sicily in all its glory. Tripling it’s €15,000 estimate for a hammer price of €46,000, it’s this week’s highest selling item.

Next up is this exceptional German giltmetal and rhinoceros horn cornucopia. We've picked this lot for several reasons, such as the story it tells - signed AL MAIR, MUNCHEN, 1909' - to it's unique design and the fascinating story behind cornucopias. Known as the horn of plenty, it's a symbol of abundance and nourishment, overflowing with produce, flowers, or nuts. It more than doubled it's minimum estimate for a hammer price of €9,500.

Third up on our featured lots is this rare Irish George II ‘Huguenot’ longcase clock, signed by Nicholas Lemaistre. A clear example of the high level of craftsmanship of the early 18th century is rarely seen at auction, and provides us with a greater understanding of the role the Huguenot population played during a very important period of decorative art production in Ireland.

Next up is this stunning pair of 18th century Italian painted Majolica dishes by painter Ferdinando Maria Campani. Many of his plates are preserved in the Victoria and Albert and British museums, and he is regarded as the ‘Raphael of Majolica’. Depicting historical scenes, these classic dishes found a final hammer price of €6,500, smashing it’s €800 - €1,200 estimate.

Our final featured lot is a fascinating document of history. This illuminated manuscript book, presented to James Stannus (Dean of Ross and Rector of Lisburn) by the Tenantry of the Most Noble Marquis of Hertford K.G. was to celebrate his 50th year as Agent of the Estate. Dated 31st October 1867, it includes a series of drawings of Lisburn alongside written accounts of the improvements and advancements carried out during his tenureship. It also includes a letter from James Stannus thanking them for the gift.