A HANDSOME mahogany side table, dating from the William IV period, breezed past its top estimate of £10,000 to sell for £13,500 at an auction conducted last Monday by Mullen's of Laurel Park at Dunderry Park, Co Meath.

Two Irish mahogany break-front bookcases, dating from circa 1780 and both originally from Headfort House in Kells, sold for £9,000 and £8,750 respectively.

Among the paintings, a mid 19th century oil of cattle and sheep in a landscape by Thomas Sydney Cooper R.A. made the day's next-best price of £7,000.

Other leading sales included £5,400 for a pair of Viennese ebony and porcelain side cabinets, circa 1865; £4,200 for a pair of sandstone urns on pedestals; and £4,100 for a fine portrait of a Roman peasant girl by the German artist, Rudolf Lehmann. A pair of Irish Chippendale armchairs, dating from the late 19th century, went under the hammer for £3,900.