The discretion of Co Laois auctioneering house Sheppard's means that it is not naming the Kilkenny couple who have provided some of the choicest items for next Wednesday afternoon's sale in Durrow. Interestingly, there are no less than four teapoys among the 470-odd lots. Probably the finest of these is lot 219, a William IV example in mahogany, its octagonal bobbin-beaded top above a baluster body opening to a fitted interior. It is expected to make £2,500-£3,000, while a slightly earlier lot, number 217, a Regency mahogany rectangular teapoy carries a pre-sale estimate of £1,400-£1,800.
The other two instances of this same item of furniture are lots 350 (early Victorian in burr walnut and fruitwood banded, £2,000-£3,000) and 355 (Regency and mahogany, £1,400-£1,800). Naturally, there is a superabundance of handsome furniture also on offer in this auction. Among the best of these lots are number 287, a set of 10 Victorian mahogany balloon-back dining chairs, each with upholstered seat raised on turned legs to the fore (£8,000-£12,000). Shortly before this, lot 273 is an early 19th century mahogany partners' desk, its rectangular tooled leather inset top above a series of nine drawers on either side raised on moulded plinths (£6,000-£9,000).
Lot 245, a Regency mahogany and rosewood crossbanded sofa table with drop leaves above two frieze drawers, is particularly handsome and has an estimate of £2,500-£3,500 and lot 222, a Victorian mahogany serpentine-fronted pedestal sideboard with sinuously carved back, is expected to sell for £2,500-£3,500. There are some fine bookcases among the lots too, such as number 205, a George III mahogany secretaire, its upper section comprising two geometrically glazed doors enclosing shelves while the lower part has a fitted writing drawer (£3,000-£4,000). Lot 200 is a late 19th century bookcase in mahogany, representative of that era's revived interest in the Adam style; while similar in design to the other bookcase, it is lighter and somewhat more delicate in form, with an estimate of £2,500-£3,500. Meanwhile among the display cabinets is lot 191, an Edwardian mahogany and inlay dwarf example (£2,000-£3,000); lot 179, also Edwardian, a mahogany and satinwood cross-banded corner cabinet rising to an arched swan-neck pediment (£2,500-£3,500); and lot 154, a neo-classical mahogany bow-fronted cabinet raised on square-tapered legs (also £2,500-£3,500). But there is more than just furniture in the sale. Look out also for lot 300, a pair of Royal Worcester lidded jugs, each painted with floral decoration on a cream background and with gilt beaded borders and handles (£2,000-£3,000) and lot 298, a pair of pot pourri, again by Royal Worcester in a baluster form with pierced and gilded lids (£600-£900).
Finally, among the quirkier lots is number 320, a 19th century gilt and polychrome blackamoor figure holding a light while standing on a small boat set on a circular plinth (no estimate given) and lot 304, an unusual pair of French cast-iron coal boxes in the shape of large shells (£400-£600). The auction takes place in Sheppard's own rooms, from at 2 p.m.
