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The Cult of Chartreuse
Sometimes the interesting part of a bottle is in the small print. A Green Chartreuse estimated at €20–30 in our last Fine Wine & Spirits auction sold for €320. The detail that caught collectors’ attention was on the label: Tarragona, Spain.
When the Carthusian monks were expelled from France in 1903, their distillery was taken over, but their know-how went with them. Production began in Tarragona in 1904 and continued there until 1989. Bottles from this Spanish period have since developed a dedicated following among collectors.
The secrecy remains part of the fascination. Chartreuse traces its origins to a manuscript given to the Carthusian order in 1605 and, remarkably, the complete recipe is still said to be known by only two monks at any one time.
For older and rarer bottlings, the market can be remarkably strong. A specialist Chartreuse auction in 2023 sold all 648 lots for CHF1.52 million, with collectors competing for bottles spanning the history of the liqueur from the 19th century onwards.
One lesson from Chartreuse is that value is often hidden in the detail. A place name, bottling note or small line of text can completely change what a bottle is, and what collectors are prepared to pay.
Our next Fine Wine & Spirits auction is now closing for entries. We are currently seeking important private cellars, mature Bordeaux and Burgundy, Champagne, fine whisky and rare spirits.
For valuations and consignments, contact conor@adams.ie
John ffrench was an instrumental figure in the design industry in Ireland and a distinguished pioneer of Irish studio pottery.
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"I should declare my hand. I have a weakness for pictures that punch above their physical weight, and for artists who have been quietly underrated for too long. This pair is both. They are intimate enough to live with at close quarters and serious enough to repay any amount of looking. If the market has lately shown signs of catching up with eighteenth-century Irish painting and I think it has, these two small panels feel, to me, like exactly the sort of thing that will look obvious in twenty years’ time."
Adam’s is honoured to present works from the collection of Lord Rossmore in the upcoming Country House Collections auction at Howth Castle on 28th April. It is seldom that an influential Irish family collection that has survived through the generations comes to the open market.
Works Sold at Adam’s Now in the Irish National Collection
A great opportunity to purchase both established and lesser-known artist’s work at an accessible price point, the Online Picture Auction is the first of many sales to be hosted at Adam’s in 2026. It is perfect for those looking to start a collection and the discerning collector alike.
Through this article, let our expert Adam Pearson guiding you to the (re)discovery of the once established Irish painter Richard O’Neill.
Buying at Auction and the Role of Antiques in a Modern Home
Important Irish Art Auction Highlights
Oliver Dowling Collection by Aidan Dunne
2024 is a year in which Adam’s wants to recognise the key role buying antique furniture and furnishings at auction contributes greatly to the sustainable initiative. In 2019 the Environmental Protection Agency reported stark figures that each year in Ireland 1.2 million reusable bulky items, primarily furniture goes into landfill. Similar to the problem of ‘fast fashion’, the constant production and consumption of new items is leading to rapidly growing waste problem. We want to acknowledge those who are already buying second hand or antique furniture at auction and to encourage new buyers by highlighting the benefits of acquiring affordable, well-made quality items that are built to last.
Irish author, recipe creator and lifestyle influencer, Indy Parsons, selects her favourite pieces from our upcoming Fine Jewellery & Watches auction
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Cork-born Irish actress, Sarah Greene, selects her favourite pieces from our upcoming Fine Jewellery & Watches auction
James Adam & Sons Ltd, Fine Art Auctioneers and Valuers, 26 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2,
D02 X665, Ireland
