Even nice pieces like this one with its three-quarter gilt metal gallery, hinged stationery compartment and four drawers to the pedestal, have struggled to find buyers for a couple of years or so. However, this one was sensibly estimated and went above hopes at £1100. Best of the furniture was a George III-style mahogany chest, 2ft 7in (78cm) wide, which took £1900.
An early 19th century mahogany drop-dial wall clock by H. Turner Colchester, pictured, was the surprise of the day when it topped the event at a five-times estimate £2000.
Abbotts, Campsea Ashe, December 19
Buyer's premium: 10 per cent
Davenports out of favour but a fineexample sells
NOT the top seller at this 653-lot Suffolk sale at Abbotts on 19 December but interesting in that it sold at all, was a burr walnut Victorian davenport.
