Bidders almost clear Mullen's saleroom

Mullen's of Woodbrook, Dublin, almost cleared their showrooms last week at their first auction of the year. `We couldn't believe it. We had been left a lot of commissioned bids and didn't expect a crowd, but the place was full and we had our best sale ever in terms of lots sold," said Carrie Barrett of Mullen's. A Victorian ebony and burr walnut sidecabinet (£3,600), a walnut breakfront sidecabinet (£3,000) and a regency rosewood library table (£2,400) were among the top lots. The table had an estimate of £800-£1,200. Another Victorian walnut breakfront side- cabinet (£1,800), a mahogany bureau bookcase (£1,800) and a rosewood baby grand piano (£1,650) were among the other items which fetched high prices.

Mullen's are currently collecting pieces for their next fine-art auction, due to be held next month.

Australians are buying Irish

Business was also brisk at the first auction of the year held by Upper Court Manor Antiques, Freshford, Co Kilkenny. A strong interest from Australian buyers was noted by Aggie Wyatt, the auction manager. "Ireland seems to appeal to Australian buyers at the moment, who are finding unusual, attractive and reasonably priced pieces here."

Victorian dining table makes £1,950

A Victorian mahogany extension dining table made £1,950 at last Sunday's Town & Country auction in their Dublin showrooms. A Victorian console table (£1,650), a Victorian rosewood card-table (£1,300) and a Victorian giltwood overmantel mirror (£1,050) also fetched good prices at the Ormond Quay-based auctioneers' first sale of the year. Chairs were also in demand and a set of eight Victorian dining chairs sold for £2,800. Two sets of six Victorian dining chairs went under the hammer for £1,200 and £1,000 respectively.

Armchairs fetch top price of £1,350 in Adam sale

Over £40,000 changed hands at the James Adam basement sale in Kildare St, Dublin, last Wednesday following a large attendance at both the viewing and the auction itself. A pair of Victorian walnut, framed armchairs on cabriole legs fetched the highest price of the day, £1,350, followed by a 1940s Sheffield eight-piece dinner service in a fitted, stained, wooden canteen (£1,100). A set of six Edwardian walnut, gothic-style chairs with red upholstery and a Victorian mahogany rectangular side-table both sold for £700. A Victorian-style blond mahogany desk with red leather inset went under the hammer for £650.