A canvas by John Frederick Herring is expected to make the top price at next Wednesday's sale at Sheppard's of Durrow, Co Laois. Showing horses in a stable with other farm animals, the picture carries an estimate of £10,000-£12,000, considerably higher than any other painting in the auction, although an oil of a Spanish woman by Joshua Hargreave Sams Mann has an estimate of £2,500-£3,000.

The majority of lots in this sale are of furniture, such as a 19th century mahogany breakfront bookcase, with an estimate of £4,000-£6,000, the same figure as for a set of eight 19th century Chippendale dining chairs. A neo-classical mahogany and inlaid kneehole writing desk is expected to sell for £3,000-£4,000, as is an Edwardian mahogany and marquetry display cabinet, a 19th century mahogany and inlaid longcase clock and a Regency rosewood and boxwood inlaid sofa table. Other items include: a Victorian walnut and ormolu-mounted credenza (£3,500-£4,500); a Victorian walnut and marquetry credenza (£2,500-£3,000); and a Victorian walnut and ormolu-mounted display cabinet (£2,500-£3,500).