Something for gardens, including the birds

WITH more than 1,000 lots, the next auction at Mullen's of Laurel Park has understandably had to be divided over two days

WITH more than 1,000 lots, the next auction at Mullen's of Laurel Park has understandably had to be divided over two days. The first section, tomorrow afternoon, is devoted to garden statuary and pub memorabilia, while Monday morning offers antique furniture and miscellaneous effects. No individual item in the garden statuary section carries a particularly high estimate, but there are plenty of attractive pieces, such as a pair of castiron garden chairs (£350-£450), a sandstone bench with lion mask ends (£280-£320) and a pair of castiron and wrought iron gates, formerly at Westport House, Co Mayo (£1,000-£1,500).

The pub memorabilia section contains lots of advertising signs and mirrors, plus such curiosities - as a Victorian rosewood eased collection of stuffed birds (£100-£150) and a pair of mounted buffalo horns (£120-£180).

Monday's sale also holds plenty of lots with low estimates. The day's highest price of £1,400-£1,600 is expected to be made by a five piece gilt drawingroom suite, while a walnut partner's desk should make £1,200-£1,600. Boulle always has a keen following and in this auction is a pair of red boulle and brass inlaid side cabinets (£1,000-£1,200) and a Louis XV style boulle plat bureau (£800-£1,200).

Other good pieces of furniture include a William IV mahogany wardrobe (£600- £800), a Victorian mahogany pod table (£700-£1,000) and a set of 10 Hepplewhite style mahogany dining chairs (£800-£1,200).