Items of solid furniture to tempt house-buyers

In a quiet week for auctions in the capital, Mullen's of Laurel Park is bound to attract plenty of attention for the company's sale next Monday evening. While there is not an exceptional lot on this occasion, some recent purchasers of homes may want to view what is on offer, as solid pieces of furniture are to the fore.

Among almost 300 lots, an Irish mahogany tallboy stamped by Hicks (estimate £800-£1,200) ought certainly to find a buyer, as should a mid-19th-century Irish rosewood card table (£1,800-£2,200). A pair of mahogany and satinwood demi-lune card tables carry particularly high expectations - £4,000-£5,000 - and so too do a set of eight (six plus two carvers) mahogany shield-back dining chairs (£3,000-£4,000). Another pair of satinwood painted side tables come with a lower figure, £2,000-£2,500. Handsome, solid examples of workmanship are provided by a Regency mahogany economy dining table (£1,400-£1,800), a Georgian mahogany bowfront chest with satin string inlay (£1,200-£1,600) and a William IV mahogany dining table (£1,000-£1,400). Mullen's are also offering a few pieces of French furniture, such as a Louis XV-style walnut and gilt metal bureau plat (£1,200-£1,600) and a circular occasional table with marble top within pierced metal gallery (£800-£1,200). Finally, gardeners may be interested in taking a look at a pair of sandstone urns on pedestals (£800-£1,200), a cast-iron two-tier fountain (£400-£500) and a timber and cast-iron garden bench (£300-£400).

One of the lots for the Mullen's auction next Monday is this mahogany bowfront secretaire bookcase, which has an estimate of £2,500-£3,500

A pair of Victorian gilt girandole mirrors (estimate, £2,000-£3,000), another item for the Mullen's auction