INDISPUTABLY the most interesting item in next Wednesday's auction at the James Adam salesrooms in Dublin is a George III architect's desk, which was once owned by Francis Johnson, designer of the GPO, Aras an Uachtarain, the chapel at Dublin Castle and many other buildings across the country.

Very much a functional piece, the desk has a swivel top with three rising and adjustable levels and fitted drawers. It carries an estimate of £3,000-£5,000, as does a portrait of Johnson (artist unknown) from the early 19th century. Both these items came from the same collection and, ideally, because of their historical importance, they ought to remain together.

Elsewhere in Adam's sale of almost 500 lots, there is a fine George III inlaid satinwood serpentine front, folding top card table (£1,000-£1,500), a George III style inlaid mahogany semi elliptical side table (£1,400-£1,800) and two William IV mahogany, rectangular folding top tea tables (£700-£900 and £800-£1,000 respectively).

The Belleek on offer includes a second period tridacna ware tea set and tray (£600-£1,000) and a third-period tridacna pattern part tea service (£300-£400).

Best of the silver is probably a pair of mid-18th century sauceboats by John Pollock and William Skeen of London (£800-£1,200) and a George III circular baluster teapot, also English in origin (£1,200-£1,500). There are also plenty of pictures, not least a set of James Malton's views of Dublin (£3,000-£5,000).

And worthy of mention are a post impressionistic circus scene reminiscent of Sickert (£800-£1,000), a pair of views of the southern Italian coast by Giuseppi Carelli (£1,500-£2,000) and a 16th century German landscape in the style of Albrecht Altdorfer (£2,000-£3,000).