In the event, however, there were some decent prices, most notably for an early oak piece.
This was a 16th century oak coffer with a panelled top and iron escutcheons which sold at £3400.
Later pieces of quality also did well enough – a William IV mahogany hat and coat stand realised £1050; a George II mahogany brass-bound cooler fetched £1850 and George III D-end mahogany dining table sold at £2100.
The ceramic section was notable for a late 18th century Derby ice pail.
It was missing its lining but it was hand-painted with a floral decoration by William Billingsley and gilded by Joseph Staples which ensured it at least sold on its lower estimate at £2500.
Quality touches lift furniture bids
GIVEN the bob-a-long prices for run-of-the-mill furniture at auction, the fact that 917 offerings at Lawrences of Bletchingley's (12.5% buyer's premium) 2861-lot April 27-29 sale were furniture didn’t bode well for the three-day outing.
