AUCTIONEER Denis Drum has had a mass of inquiries about chimneypieces since selling one attributed to Bossi a fortnight ago for £23,000.

He has now obtained another fine marble one for his forthcoming sale on March 21st. Late 18th century, and made by George Darley of Dublin, according to Mr Drum, it has spent the last 50 years or so in a modern house in Foxrock.

The house was built by an architect who may have salvaged the fireplace from a house in Mountjoy Square in the 1940s, says Mr Drum.

It is estimated to fetch £10,000-£12,000 at auction. The chimney piece attributed to Bossi also carried a top estimate of £12,000, so it will be no surprise if this latest one sells for considerably more. A 19th century French white marble chimneypiece is estimated to make up to £1,500 in the same sale.