Purchases on grand tour in Meath estate sale

Given the rarity of country house auctions now, there is certain to be keen interest in the principal contents of a Co Meath estate; they come up for sale on Wednesday, April 22nd. Auctioneer, Michael Sheppard of Durrow, Co Laois, says many of the items on offer in his premises were acquired on a European grand tour in the last century, and the variety of lots - including furniture from the 17th to the 19th century, marble and bronze sculptures, paintings, silver and porcelain - suggests extensive travel. Among the most handsome pieces of furniture is a generously proportioned 19th century mahogany and marquetry breakfront bookcase, the four lower panel doors profusely inlaid with floral and figurative motifs. It is expected to sell for £25,000-£35,000. An early 19th century Irish mahogany serving table with characteristic claw feet has a much lower estimate of £1,800-£2,500.

A charming Regency rosewood and brass inlaid lady's writing table (£9,000-£12,000) is another item certain to cause a stir because of gilt kneeling figures supporting the upper trellis back and gilt lizard, scrolled pillars below. Almost as delightful are a solid William IV rosewood and brass-inlaid library table (£1,500-£2,500) and a pair of neo-classical brass-mounted mahogany and marquetry side tables (£8,000-£12,000), which form a circle when joined together. Then there are a pair of Louis XVI period mahogany and brass-bound rectangular jardinieres (£6,000-£9,000), a Regency mahogany wine cooler in sarcophagus form (£3,000-£4,000) and, also sarcophagus-shaped, a William IV rosewood teapoy.

As a change from all this restrained good taste, the sale includes a late 18th century Italian gilt framed chair, its upholstered scallop seat cradled by two naked female figures (£10,000-£15,000). There is also a pair of duelling pistols made by McDermotts of Dublin (circa 1800) and presented to Robert Smith, whose family came from Newtown, King's County (£12,000-£14,000).

More modest expectations are carried by a late 18th/early 19th century tinder box lighter, which has an estimate of £300-£500.