A spear head of one of Ireland’s most well known Irish statues will be auctioned next month starting at around $43,000.
The ‘spare’ head of the iconic Dublin statue was created 23 years ago from the same mold as the original. The two were casted together, in case one of them had a default. Its sculptress Jeanne Rynhart kept the ‘spare head’ in her studio in Bantry, Co. Cork all these years.
The Molly Malone statue is one of the most-recognized and most-photographed pieces of public art in Ireland and a popular touristic sight. It was specially made by the Dublin City Council to celebrate Dublin’s millennium year in 1988, and was revealed in December of that year by then lord mayor Alderman Ben Briscoe.
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Rynhart sang the song Molly Malone with The Dubliners during the celebrations declaring June 13 as Molly Malone day. The sculpture went under some scrutiny for the revealing low-cut dress that Molly is wearing. The artist has long defended her work saying that the pushing of the famous cart has made Molly into a “fine strong girl.”
Fine Art auctioneers Mealy’s said that Rynhart had now decided to sell it “to free up space in her studio.”
The extra head will go under the hammer next month with an estimate of $33,000 to $43,000. Anyone with a little extra change to spare can try their luck and see if they can take the piece home during Mealy’s Summer Fine and Decorative Art Sale in their showroom in Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny on July 5.
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