Kilkenny auctioneer Loughlin Bowe reports a successful sale recently at Baroda Stud in Co Kildare, with keen attendance from both private and trade buyers. As is now so often the case, pre-sale estimates bore little semblance to eventual prices achieved. In this respect, an 18th-century Irish Georgian mahogany longcase clock with brass dial, which had been expected to make £4,200 at the most, was bought for £6,210, and a Victorian brass firescreen (estimate £250-£350) fetched £630.

Other lots which did better than might have been expected included a Louis XVstyle bureau plat (£2,760), two similar Victorian chesterfields (£2,300) and an oak cupboard with inlaid decoration (£2,010). Among ceramics, a large 19th-century urn and cover painted with flowers went for £1,725 and a pair of 19th-century Spode blue and white platters sold for £667. Finally, a set of four "Punchestown" coloured prints was sold for £1,150.