CHATSWORTH FINE ART SALE April 29th, 30th & May 1st 2026

78 IMPERFECTIONS NOT STATED Fonsie Mealy’s Est. 1934 “Two Children and a Dog by a Lake,”O.O.C., 66cms x 73cms (26” x 29”). (1) The attribution of this charming painting to the nineteenth- century Galway artist Joseph Patrick Haverty is based on its similarity to known works by the artist. Although his style was somewhat naif, Haverty was a more than competent artist, who could tackle ambitious subject matter such as group portraits. In this charming double portrait he depicts two girls, resting beside a grassy path, with a lake and islands in the background. On the ground beside the two girls are a straw hat and a light badminton racket, suggesting they are resting after taking part in an active sport. A dog stands beside them on the path, its paw raised. Wearing a dark green velvet dress and trousers, the older girl holds up a ball, while the younger girl, perhaps her sister, places her hand on her shoulder in an affectionate gesture. The dog looks up expectantly, waiting for the ball to be thrown.
Little is known of Haverty’s background or education. He seems to have been a journeyman portrait painter. In 1814 he sent a picture to the Hibernian Society of Artists Exhibition, and the following year was living in Dublin. He visited London occasionally. When the RHA was founded he was one of the first Associate members, and was elected an Academician in 1829. Haverty painted portraits of Daniel O’Connell, Sir John Power of Kilfane, and the Dunalley family, but his best-known group portrait is of the Reilly family of Scarvagh, (illustrated on p. 224 of The Painters of Ireland by Anne Crookshank and the Knight of Glin). Reilly was an artist himself and encouraged Haverty in his career, and it is also possible that this portrait of two children might be by Reilly himself. Peter Murray 2026 €2,000 - €3,000 790. A fine quality 19th Century French ormolu and porcelain Clock Garniture, the clock with classical urn surmounted with floral painted porcelain inset, above a square dial with Roman numerals with painted birds and flowers, highlighted in gilt on a breakfront base, with floral decorated panel insets, 46cms high (18”); together with a pair of ormolu urn shaped candles with floral and bird painted insets, 38cms (15”) high. (3) €500 - €700 786. An elegant 19th Century satinwood and inlaid Bonheur du Jour, of horse shoe shape, the top with pierced brass gallery above a sunken center section of inverted front, with long single frieze drawer with ornate ormolu handles and brass rope design rim, the back section with adjustable sliding screen, on front and back square tapering legs, with brass castors, approx. 80cms high x 47cms deep x 61cms wide (31½” x 18½” x 24”). (1) Provenance: Formerly in the possession of Lady Mary Bridget Parsons (1907–1972), daughter of William Edward Parsons, 5th Earl of Rosse, and Frances Lois Lister-Kaye, Viscountess de Vesci, of Birr Castle, Co. Offaly, andWomersley Hall, Yorkshire. €600 - €800 788. A good set of four late Regency mahogany armorial Hall Chairs, c. 1825, with ebonised detail, the straight backs with scrolling dipped top rails and centered by a recessed oval panel with a gilt monogram‘H’, over rounded seats with central recessed panels and raised on turned tapered legs. (4) €1000 - €1500 789. Attributed to Joseph Patrick Haverty (1794-1854)