From a house clearance which accounted for a fifth of the 624 lots and a third of the four-figure bids at the June 13 auction, it featured stringing and rosewood banding and was painted with ribbon-tied floral swags vignettes of cherubs, fruit and a pair of portrait roundels.
Estimated at £2000-3000, it was a dealer who went to £6000 to secure it.
A contrast to this sophisticated piece of furniture, but tripling top expectations, was a faux rustic Victorian sandstone bench.
The 5ft (1.52m) wide backless bench with Vitruvian scroll edge to the seat was inscribed to the leaf-carved ends with Victorian sentiments: The Kiss of the Sun for Pardon, the Song of the Birds for Mirth to one and One is nearer to God’s heart in a Garden than anywhere else on Earth to the other. Another trade buy, it almost tripled the top estimate in selling at £3400.
