Carved from walrus bone around 1880, these three Chinese figures are being offered by Adams of Blackrock next Tuesday.

Together, the trio carries an estimate of £200 to £300.

The sale will feature a large collection of such material, plus Nankin and famille rose ceramics as well as oriental silver owned by the late Neville Irons.

The sale is divided into two sections, beginning at 11 a.m. and 1.30 p.m.

The auction runs to almost 640 lots and covers a very wide range including pictures - a Maurice Wilks floral still-life expected to fetch £3,000 to £4,000 and an Edward Maguire portrait of a boy (£2,000 to £3,000) - and Irish silver such as a pair of Cork George III serving spoons (£600 to £800).

There is also a lot of furniture, not least a George IV circular rosewood table (£2,000 to £3,000). Also included is a mid-Victorian writing table with tooled leather top (700 to £1,000) and a late 19th century bookcase (£600 to £900).