Francis Bacon crockery fails to sell

Thursday (February 19th) Duke's Fine Art Auctioneers, Dorchester, Dorset, England. A set of household crockery that belonged to the artist Francis Bacon was unsold (estimate £10,000-£15,000).

Forthcoming auctions Sunday, February 22nd Victor Mee Auctions (Co Cavan). Auction on the premises of Smarmore Castle, Ardee, Co Louth, at 12. 30pm. Some 700 lots including Georgian and Victorian furniture, clocks, art, silver and garden furniture: a William IV mahogany three-pod dining table (€3,500 – €4,500); six Georgian mahogany dining room chairs (€3,000 – €4,000); Small Hopes (an oil-on-canvas of a racehorse) by Samuel Spode, a 19th-century English artist who visited Ireland to paint racehorses (€3,000 – €4,000). Viewing today.

Ashgrove Auction Rooms – auction on the premises of Ballard Park Estate, Ballinaclash, Co Wicklow, at noon. Period and later furniture, art and architectural items.

Tuesday, February 24th Sotheby's, London. Of Royal and Noble Descent: an auction of aristocratic heirlooms including a surtout de table – a gilt-bronze table centrepiece made in 1805 for the Butler family of Kilkenny Castle (£8,000-£12,000). Wednesday, February 25th O'Reilly's Auction Rooms, 126 Francis Street, Dublin 8. Auction of antique and modern jewellery and vintage watches at 1pm. Viewing from noon February 22nd. Forthcoming fairs Sunday, February 22nd Galway Antiques and Fine Art Fair, Ardilaun Hotel, Taylor's Hill, Galway. 11am - 6pm.