Swift's home setting for sale of Gainsboroughs

THE boyhood home of Jonathan Swift, Swift's Heath in Jenkinstown, Co Kildare, is the setting for Sheppard's sale next Tuesday. Dean Swift was brought up in the house by his uncle, Godwin Swift, attorney general to the Duke of Ormonde. The German owner, Mrs Brigitte Lennon, is selling part of her antiques and aft collection to fund developments at the estate. She plans to open Swift's Heath to the public next year and is hoping to convert part of it into a Dean Swift museum.

Furniture and paintings from other clients will be included in the sale, the most note worthy being a pair of portraits by Gainsborough. The paintings, of architect and politician Thomas Prowse and his wife, Elizabeth, are expected to sell for £20,000-£30,000.

Other interesting lots are: a 19th century mahogany breakfront bookcase (£5,000-£8,000); A fine 18th century Italian gilt coffer with painted armorial front and sides, £3,000-£4,000; a Regency mahogany dining table, stamped R.B. Crenin, Henry Street, Dublin, £6,000-£9,000; and a set of 12 Hepplewhite chairs, including two carvers, £6,000-£9,000. Also included is a good pair of mahogany peat buckets, up to £3,500; an elaborate giltwood drawingroom suite, three pieces, £3,500-£5,000; and a good 19th century mahogany and ebony inlaid display cabinet, lot 513, estimated at £3,000-£4,000. A pair of Webley and Scott 12 bore shotguns in its leather case has a top estimate of £6,000.

Viewing today and tomorrow will be from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.