€350,000 diamond in Laois auction of Hollywood director's collection

placeholder image — Items at auction in Durrow

A yellow diamond valued at up to €350,000, watches in excess of €30,000 and mesmerising artworks will go under the hammer at a Laois auction next week.

Sheppard’s of Durrow are selling the items which are in an auction that includes the collection of legendary film director and former Wicklow resident, John Boorman.

John Boorman famously directed films like The General, Deliverance, Excalibur and Hope and Glory. He recently announced plans to leave his Wicklow home and return to England.

Sheppard’s of Durrow will sell the collection of extremely valuable watches; period paintings and elegant pieces of art along with many items from the Wicklow home of film director John Boorman, who placed a lifetime's emphasis on beauty.

The Sir John Boorman sale offers an exciting assemblage of exceptional jewellery, diamonds, and coloured stones from prominent private collections including the star lot, the 15 ct yellow diamond.

The auction will be held over three days from Tuesday, February 28, Wednesday, March 1 and Thursday, March 2 at Sheppard's Irish Auction House, Durrow with previews from Saturday, February 25 to Monday, February 27.

Highlights of the auction include:

Lot 248 - Brilliant-cut yellow diamond (15.93 carats). It has an estimate of €250,000 - €350,000.

Lot 292 - Patek Philippe - Gondolo Millennium wristwatch has an estimate of €30,000 - €40,000. Limited Edition: 450 made, to commemorate the millennium, Reference Number: 5100G, 18ct white gold case of 46 x 33mm diameter, black leather strap with gold buckle, blue dial with Arabic numerals and sapphire crystal glass, manual wind movement. Functions include: 10 day power reserve subdial. Original box and papers.

Lot 300 - One of only 500 ever made, this 18ct rose gold-cased Ulysse Nardin - Moonstruck wristwatch will sell on Tuesday, February 28 for €30,000 - €40,000

Lot 64 - A portrait of a boy and girl, signed, oil on canvas. Dated 1894 by Herman Petzet Estimate: €3,000 - €5,000.

Lot 163 - A 19th-century bird's eye maple and gilt harp has an estimate of €2,500 - €3,500.

Lot 23 - Two rare Limerick, George III (c. 1780) silver serving spoons will sell for between €3,000 and €5,000.

Lot 58 - Pacata Hibernia (c.1650) - This rare book: Ireland Appeased and Reduced or An Histoire of the Late Wars of Ireland, especially within the province of Munster, under the government of Sir George Carru, Knight, then Lord President of that province has an estimate of €4,000 - €6,000.

Lot 119 - A Schoenau & Hoffmeister doll (c 1909) with an estimate of €100 - €150 has a Bbisque socket head, five-piece jointed composition body, wigged, glass eyes, open mouth.

Draped with a puppy-tooth pattern buttoned-overcoat accessorised with complimentary hat and bag. Impressed maker’s mark, Germany.