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Among the many distinguished offerings in our forthcoming At Home Sale Day One is an exceptional collection of Irish provincial silver, featuring rare and finely crafted pieces from Cork and Limerick silversmiths of the eighteenth century. Rich in character, artistry and regional heritage, provincial silver remains one of the most fascinating and sought-after areas within Irish decorative arts.
While Dublin silver has long enjoyed international acclaim, provincial Irish silver possesses a distinct charm entirely its own. Produced in smaller workshops outside the capital, particularly in Cork, Limerick, Galway and Kilkenny, these pieces reflect both the individuality of local craftsmen and the tastes of Ireland’s prosperous merchant and professional classes during the Georgian period.
Unlike the more standardised output of larger city workshops, provincial silver often demonstrates remarkable originality in design and execution. Decorative motifs were frequently engraved or chased by hand, resulting in pieces with a lively, personal quality that collectors greatly admire today. The survival of many of these objects is particularly noteworthy given the comparatively limited production of Irish provincial silver in the eighteenth century.
The collection presented in this sale offers an outstanding survey of Cork and Limerick craftsmanship, showcasing the work of celebrated makers including Daniel McCarthy, Carden Terry, John Warner, Maurice Fitzgerald, Samuel Johns and Joseph Johns.
One of the earliest and most impressive pieces in the collection is Lot 228, a rare Limerick silver sugar bowl by Joseph Johns, dating to circa 1755. With its scalloped rim, richly chased fruit and foliage decoration and striking lion masked paw feet, the bowl is a superb example of mid eighteenth-century Rococo influence in Irish silver. Estimated at €8,000 to €10,000, it stands among the most important pieces within the sale.
Equally captivating is Lot 114, a rare large provincial silver soup ladle by Samuel Johns of Limerick, dating to circa 1760. The elegant hook handle and elaborate chased Rococo ornament reflect the sophistication of Irish silversmithing during this period, while its impressive scale and rarity make it highly desirable to collectors. This remarkable ladle carries an estimate of €5,000 to €7,000.
Cork silver is particularly well represented throughout the collection. Lot 36, an Irish provincial silver sugar bowl by Daniel McCarthy, dating from circa 1775 to 1780, displays beautifully engraved flower and bird motifs and rests upon distinctive mask-headed cabriole legs. The lively decoration and graceful proportions embody the decorative richness associated with Cork silver of the late eighteenth century.
Further highlights include Lot 37, a finely chased Cork cream jug by Carden Terry, with elegant floral engraving and scrolling hairy paw feet, and Lot 145, a near pair of Cork silver sauceboats by John Warner, notable for their refined form and excellent preservation.
Collectors of flatware will be particularly drawn to Lot 120, a rare pair of bright-cut serving spoons by Maurice Fitzgerald of Limerick. Dating to circa 1780, these beautifully crested spoons exemplify the refined neoclassical taste that emerged in the latter decades of the eighteenth century. Complementing these are Lot 122, a delicate pair of bright-cut sugar tongs by John Warner of Cork.
The collection also includes several highly unusual domestic objects, each illustrating the variety and utility of provincial silver in Georgian Ireland. Among them are Lot 150, a Cork silver wine funnel stand by Carden Terry, and Lot 152, a striking provincial silver candlestick attributed to George Hodder, distinguished by its shell-cornered drip pans and elegant fluted stem.
Another standout entry is Lot 161, an impressive two-handled loving cup by John Warner of Cork. The scrolling acanthus capped handles and balanced proportions demonstrate the confidence and technical skill achieved by provincial Irish silversmiths during the late eighteenth century.
Today, Irish provincial silver continues to attract collectors internationally for its rarity, historical importance and unmistakable individuality. Each piece offers a tangible connection to Ireland’s artistic and economic history, preserving the legacy of craftsmen whose work rivalled that of their counterparts in larger European centres.
This carefully curated group represents an exciting opportunity for both seasoned collectors and new buyers to acquire exceptional examples of Irish silver from some of the country’s most celebrated provincial workshops.
Day One Catalogue; Online now.
Emmalie Conroy, May 2026
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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."
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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.
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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
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"Beating the bounds is a tradition that can be traced back to the medieval period. At this time, land was divided into parishes and the clergy and church wardens held the responsibility for its upkeep and management. It was up to the Church to ensure that its parishioners knew the local boundary lines and, before maps became commonplace, this had to be kept as a mental record."
Adam’s in conjunction with Suzanne MacDougald are proud to host an online timed auction of artworks to aid the Irish Red Cross’s humanitarian work in delivering vital services to millions of people impacted by the conflict in Ukraine. With no buyers premium 100% of the hammer price will go directly to the Irish Red Cross.
Ros Drinkwater writes of Jack B Yeats' 'The Boat' in the Business Post:
With a consolidated result of €320,000,the At Home sale in Stephan’s Green, was a great success.
James Adam & Sons Ltd, Fine Art Auctioneers and Valuers, 26 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2,
D02 X665, Ireland
