A DAMS of Blackrock held what the company described as a very successful fine-art auction of almost 500 lots last Tuesday, attended by both private collectors and some members of the trade. As expected, the highest price was paid for a Victorian four-door breakfront bookcase, more than eight feet high; this sold for £4,700.

Among other pieces of furniture, a Victorian mirrored-back sideboard made £940 and a continental mahogany secretaire abattante in two sections sold for £900, as did both an Edwardian bowfront mahogany single-door display cabinet and an Edwardian dining table with three extra leaves.

Rugs in the sale included an example of Heriz wool work, which sold for £1,400, while two Mahal runners fetched £900 and a Tabriz carpet made £600. A set of 10 Victorian aquatints showing views of Oxford made £1,000 and a Flora Mitchell watercolour of Grosvenor Road, London, sold for £450.

Finally, in the silver and glassware section a 19th century Irish oval cut-glass bowl went for £520 and a Victorian Adam-style circular salver fetched £430.