Fine Jewellery, Watches, Silver & Coins Live Auction 24th April 2024 at 12pm

8 Lot 374 LADY LAVERY I R I S H B A N K N O T E S LIVE AUCTION OF FINE JEWELLERY, WATCHES, SILVER & COINS • WEDNESDAY, 24th APRIL 2024 AT 12PM Following on from our declaration of independence in 1922, the government commissioned Sir John Lavery, a famous Belfast born painter, to submit an illustration of an archetypal Irish colleen to adorn the new set of Irish banknotes. He based this on an earlier painting of his wife, Hazel, as Kathleen Ni Houlihan Leaning on a Harp. She then featured on the full range of Irish banknotes from the ten shillings up to the £100 note.These were issued when the new Irish currency was launched in 1928.The design was widely acclaimed and fast became an integral par t of the new cultural identity of an independent Ireland. They continued in circulation up to the mid 1970s and these much loved “Lady Lavery’s” as they are called, are much prized by collectors.