�������t¶��

That included displaying the society’s copies of two 17th-century editions of books about witches, as well as the Flemish painting “Incantation Scene,” by David Teniers II. The oil-on-copper work teems with skulls, caldrons, winged creatures, broomsticks and — not surprisingly — women.

But if a proposal by private Irish buyers doesn’t pan out, artworks by the likes of Rubens, David Teniers the Younger and Francesco Guardi may yet depart Ireland, a fate that the sale’s opponents predict would be a crushing blow to the country’s artistic patrimony.

Soon that collection will be smaller, though, thanks to a decision by the foundation that oversees the house to sell off nine artworks, including six old master paintings by the likes of Rubens, David Teniers the Younger and Francesco Guardi, at Christie’s in London next month.

In Scone Palace in Perthshire, hanging among the Van Dycks and Teniers and landscapes and paintings of lords and ladies, is a portrait of two young women.

He collects Chinese antiques such as porcelain jars and bowls, and owns French paintings by artists such as David Teniers and Simon Vouet.