EXPECTED to fetch a particularly high price, this early Louis XVI secretaire is included in the substantial auction which George Menly & Sons will be holding on its premises in Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny, on Wednesday and Thursday, May 29th and May 30th.

Made by French master cabinet maker, Pierre Macret, who was employed by the French crown, the secretaire dates from circa 1775 and has a moulded rim and rounded front corners above a case decorated with fine cube parquetry. Once owned by the Duchesse de Tallyrand, it has more recently been in the possession of Ambrose Congreve of Mount Congreve and carries an estimate of £7,000-£10,000.

Another notable piece in the Mealy sale is a panoramic view of Windsor Castle from the Thames painted by 17th century Dutch artist, Hendrik Danckerts (estimate £16,000-£22,000). There are also two fine marble fireplaces, which are expected to make £3,500-£4,500 and £6,000-£8,000 respectively.

The 1,500 lots come from a wide variety of sources, including the collections of the late Count Edmond De La Poer, the late Commander Denis John Pack Beresford and the late Mr and Mrs Rawson, formerly of Glenwilliam Castle in Co Limerick.