One of the quirkiest offerings was a late 19th century tobacco jar carved in the form of a gorilla’s head with glass eyes.
Sporting a jockey’s cap and turned up collar, the 5in (13cm) high ape caught the attention of several bidders who contested it to £820.
There was more animal appeal in the form of a late 19th century wall pocket carved as a dog’s head which was knocked down at £200.
The sale’s top seller, however, was a fairly standard item – a small, Georgian country-made oak dresser base with three frieze drawers which made £2000.
A mid-18th century oak deudarn, again of small proportions at 3ft 5 1/2in (1.05m) tall, found a buyer at £1500.
Novelties add value to animal attractions
AS is often the case at regular provincial auctions these days, proceedings at Abbotts Auction Rooms' (12% buyer's premium) otherwise fairly routine, 438-lot September 8 sale were enlivened by a couple of novel entries.
