Kingwood and floral marquetry escritoire sold for £4800 at Mallams in Oxford.
Dated to the late 18th-early 19th century with some later alterations, it featured a grey striated marble top with a fitted interior enclosed by the fall.
The £1000-2000 estimate tempted a number of UK bidders at the January 31 sale but the escritoire went home via a French dealer at £4800.
