AN EMBARRASSMENT of choice awaits collectors, connoisseurs and aficionados of country house auctions next week. While Mealy’s big sale unfolds in Co Kilkenny, next door in Co Laois, Sheppard’s Irish auction house will hold its mammoth Dublin Provincial auction at the saleroom in the village of Durrow.

Sheppard’s three day-event begins on Tuesday and includes the contents of both Kilcooley Abbey House, Co Tipperary and Allenswood House, the home of the late Sir John Prichard-Jones in Lucan, Co Dublin.

There are portraits of lords and ladies, pictures of breezy hunting scenes, fine furniture, carpets and silver, jewellery and ceramics. And a veritable hoard of collectibles which could have been consigned by Dickens from The Old Curiosity Shop.

Having trouble passing the port at dinner because great-aunt Gladys has become a tad forgetful and rather fond of a drop in her dotage? Then a “rare 18th century papier-mâché decanter carriage (estimated at €1,500-€2,500) should ensure smooth passage of your Sandeman’s.

Is there a doctor in your life for whom you’d like a Christmas stocking surprise? A bronze scarificator – a bloodletting tool used in 19th century medicine – is estimated at about the cost of a GP visit (€50-€80).

And Jane Austen fans would love a Regency period sphinx-headed door knocker (€400-€600).

The sale culminates on Thursday afternoon when the remainder of a Co Carlow family’s collection of oriental porcelain will go under the hammer.

After the recent spate of sensational buying by Chinese collectors in London, culminating in the sale of a vase for €62 million, there are expectations of keen Asian interest at Sheppard’s.

Will there be a sleeper as happened in March when a little-blue-and-white vase, from the same collection, and expected to make around €100, sold for an astonishing €110,000? Since then, The Carlow Vase has been resold in London for over €280,000.

Once again the items have been assigned a low estimate – from as little as €50. Sheppard’s said they did not have the expertise to value Chinese porcelain (a notoriously difficult endeavour) but are confident that buyers will determine value.

Viewing is today, Sunday and Monday from 1pm-6pm. The sale begins on Tuesday and continues on Wednesday and Thursday beginning each day at 2pm.

For further details and the catalogue see sheppards.ie