"The Legend of Grainne Uaile"  18th Century Irish School An...

Hammer

€25,000

"The Legend of Grainne Uaile" 
18th Century Irish School

An Allegorical Relief, depicting the taking of Lord Howth's grandson, heir of the Castle, as an Infant by Grace O'Malley (Grainne Uaile) at Howth Castle, the child wrapped in a blanket being handed over to fellow pirates, with mast ships waiting in the bay, showing the Castle and Ireland's Eye in the distance, in a blackened carved oak frame showing armorial crests and motto, flanked either side by sealion and mermaid, and coronet above a shield with cross swords and rogue approx. 34" high x 62" wide (87cms x 158cms) overall. (1)

Note: 
This bas-relief sculpture provides a record of one of the best-known legends associated with the St. Lawrence family of Howth. Set in an elaborately carved wooden frame, with swags, the St. Lawrence family coat of arms of four roses, and their motto “Que Panse” [What think you?]. On the sides of the frame are allegorical figures that also appear on the family coat of arms, a mermaid with a mirror, and an allegorical figure of a sea lion. The date of 1740 is tentative, and the sculpture and frame may date to the seventeenth century.

According to the legend, one almost certainly based, at least in part, on real events, in 1575 Grace O’Malley—Graina Uaile, or Gráinne Ní Mháille—was returning to Ireland from London, where she had been involved with negotiations with Queen Elizabeth. Landing at Howth, she called at the St. Lawrence household, but found the gates closed and was told it was dinner hour. Insulted at this lack of hospitality, O’Malley returned to her ship, but en route encountered a child, one of the St. Lawrence family. Kidnapping the child, she proceeded on to her home in Co. Mayo, in the West of Ireland. Protracted negotiations ensued between the two families, until agreement was reached and the child was returned to Howth. However, one of the conditions of return was that the gates of Howth should never again be shut at dinner-time and a place should always be laid at the table for any unexpected guest that might arrive.

The relief sculpture depicts the main events of the legend, with figures on the shore at Howth raising their arms in alarm at the kidnapping, the child being borne to the seashore, where a rowing boat approaches, and O’Malley standing proudly on a rock, directing operations. In the background is visible the town of Howth, and the island of Ireland’s Eye.
Dr. Peter Murray 2021

Important Note:

In view of the cultural and historic importance of this lot , the vendors have granted an option to the Irish State to acquire same at a price equal to the hammer price realised at the auction date, should a private or trade buyer successfully bid for same. This option shall be valid for a period of three months from the auction date, and the Irish State ( as represented by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, in conjunction with the National Museum, National Gallery and National Library of Ireland and Office of Public Works) shall have the option to acquire and purchase this lot within this time frame, at the final hammer price achieved at the auction date, plus buyer's premiums. 

This lot shall be retained within this jurisdiction, and collection and shipment of same shall only be permitted on the expiryand non-exercise of this option by the Irish State bodies. A binding purchase contract shall still exist in relation to any private or trade buyer who successfully bids for this lot on the sale date and the full purchase price plus buyer's premiums due, shall become payable immediately following the expiry of the above option period.