I
RISH
& I
NTERNATIONAL
A
RT
A
UCTION
M
ONDAY
10
TH
A
PRIL
2017
AT
6.00
PM
95
The Mask of the Foyle is a larger than life-size
bronze interpretation of Edward Smyth’s River-God
keystone, situated on the Western end of the South
facade of Dublin’s Custom House. The visage of the
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his brow is a headband around which is draped
the laurels of victory to commemorate the Siege
of Derry. The prows of three ships link the castles,
symbols of the Derry Walls built by The Honourable
Irish Society as defences for early 17th century
settlers from England and Scotland. A broken cable
of chain traverses the ornamentation while the
rendition of the beard echoes the eddies, swirls and
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its size. In re-working the head, Breslin’s approach
to the work is that of a composer and conductor to
a past and perhaps over-looked precious musical
score. The composition of the head is adhered to,
while the rhythm and cadence of the features are
subtly under stressed or emphasised to enhance the
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119 Rory Breslin (b.1963) MASK OF THE FOYLEsigned, dated & numbered 1/3
bronze on Kilkenny limestone base - number 1
from an edition of 3
85 x 42 x 24cm (33 x 16 x 9in)
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Acquired directly from the artist;
Private Collection
€5,000-7,000 (£4,347-6,086)