We all know fast fashion is a huge issue, but why aren't more people talking about the rapidly growing fast-furniture problem?
Many of us have made lifestyle changes to help combat global warming - buying vintage clothes, eating less meat, taking public transport but what about the way we are furnishing our homes?
'Sustainability' is a word that has in recent times been batted around and used by many businesses, organisations, corporations etc. in an effort to persuade the public that their product, goals and/or policies are environmental. This 'Greenwashing' has been challenged time and time again by environmental activists; and while many businesses are making real efforts to move in the right direction, how many businesses are truly qualified to use the term legitimately?
In my view, the auction industry (chattel) is one of the few industries in the ever-expanding commercial world that can use 'sustainable' as a genuine descriptor. There are and will be exceptions, however the reason our industry in general qualifies is simply due to the long-established structure and built-in cycle of an auction house, which is by nature a 'circular economy'. As agents, we do not bring any new product to market. In fact, in my experience, we often sell the same items multiple times for and to different clientele, thus facilitating, feeding and driving sustainable purchasing behaviours amongst our buyers.
There is pride in being part of an inherently sustainable business, but there are of course always improvements to be made - no claims of perfection here! I do believe increasing engagement in auctions with new demographics is one great way our industry can contribute. With this in mind, in our last two 'At Home' interiors auction catalogues we published the following information:
'In 2019 the Environmental Protection Agency reported that each year in Ireland over 1.2 million reusable bulky items, primarily furniture, go into landfill. By buying antiques or second-hand furniture and furnishings at auction, not only are you acquiring well-made, quality pieces that are built to last, you are helping combat the rapidly-growing 'fast furniture' waste problem.'
Sustainability starts At Home - if you are curious, why not check out our upcoming auction?
'At Home' Auction, Tuesday 11th June
Viewing: Friday 7th - Monday 10th June at 26 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2
Enquiries: amymcnamara@adams.ie
Link to catalogue: https://lnkd.in/er88NSaQ
Important Irish Art Auction Highlights
Oliver Dowling Collection by Aidan Dunne
Irish author, recipe creator and lifestyle influencer, Indy Parsons, selects her favourite pieces from our upcoming Fine Jewellery & Watches auction
Cork-born Irish actress, Sarah Greene, selects her favourite pieces from our upcoming Fine Jewellery & Watches auction
Yvonne Aupicq had met Orpen, we understand, while working as a nurse during the war. He had been admitted to hospital with a suspected case of scabies which ended up being a far more serious case of blood poisoning as he recounts in his wartime memoir ‘An Onlooker in France’. Their relationship continued after 1918 when Orpen was appointed as the official artist to The Paris Peace Conference. They relocated to capital and over the following decade he painted her numerous times, often nude as in Amiens 1914, or The Rape and Nude Girl Reading (1921). Working with her as his model during these early years after the war allowed Orpen an opportunity to re-fuel his creativity.
Editor-in-Chief of IMAGE Publications, Lizzie Gore-Grimes, selects her favourite pieces from our upcoming Fine Jewellery & Watches auction
Our upcoming Fine Jewellery & Watches auction on September 13th features a prime example of Van Cleef & Arpel's renowned 'Mystery Setting'
Our June auction offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire one of the great masterpieces of Irish art and icons of Dublin’s history.
Georgia Chiesa selects some of her favourite lots in the upcoming Vintage Wine & Spirits Auction
"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.