The treasures of Salvador Dali are being displayed in Ireland for the first time at Timeless, The Irish Antique Dealers Fair, which runs at the RDS until Sunday.
Gormley’s Fine Art is showing a collection of 14 Dali works worth over €300,000 at Timeless – the first time a display of this size has come to Ireland.
The ten sculptures and four prints all come directly from the Swiss-based Dali Universe, which houses one of the largest collections of the leading proponent of surrealism.
Oliver Gormley of Gormley’s Fine Art said:
“This is the first chance for many people to experience or purchase so much of Dali’s work at close hand,”
“There is great interest in such works as Profile of Time, Dalinian Dancer, Triumphant Elephant and Lady Godiva at the Fair.
“The Dali feature at Timeless is part of the build-up to our major sculpture exhibition at Russborough House next year to commemorate the 30th anniversary of his death.”
The annual Timeless fair at the RDS combines contemporary design with the best of Irish antiques, giving attendees a unique chance to find the perfect piece.
Mid-20th-century furniture is enjoying a fashionable moment with Killian McNulty and Will Walsh of the Vintage Hub at the forefront of the trend.
There is also an upward trend in interest in watches, with The Watch Hunter noting large increases in value for vintage Omega and Rolex watches, which they have at the Fair.
Also on show is a legendary coco de mer nut, said to be the fruit Eve used to tempt Adam in the Garden of Eden. This 1899 example is bound in Birmingham silver, and worth over €3,000.
“The nut is-oddly shaped, being the shape and size of a lady’s bottom on one side, and belly and thighs on the other,” said Louis Walsh of Athlone-based Treasures of Irish Art.
“In times past, this rare object was viewed as having mythological and even magical properties, including healing powers.”
Another item attracting great attention is a large 17th century Brussels-style tapestry wall hanging depicting the Baptism of Clovis, considered to be exceptional value €15,000, from Yeats Country Antiques.
Visitors to the fair have the chance to step back in time as Straffan Antiques recreate two society living rooms, a 19th century French drawing room and an Irish dining room, as they would have appeared in the Dublin and Paris of the 1800s.
As well as the chance to buy the one piece that can transform your home, the Fair offers a full programme of fascinating lectures.
This year’s event sees Julian Radcliff of the Art Loss Register focus on ways of beating the art thief and reducing premiums, while journalist and broadcaster Emer O’Kelly will explore the pleasures of collecting in Barbies, Bibelots and Brown Furniture.
Admission to Timeless – The Irish Antique Dealers Fair – at the RDS is €10, available at the door.
For more information see timelessantiquesfair.ie.
