ENGLISH and Continental dealers were out in force at Sheppards sale at Stradbally Hall last Tuesday, but it was an American buyer who took the top lot of the day - a Regency fourpillar dining table, which made £32,000 under the hammer. Over 500 people attended the auction, which totalled over £600,000, according to Chris, Sheppard. Other results were a pair of Empire gilt candelabra on bronze figures, £18,500, a pair of duelling pistols by Lepage, £10,000 an oak Gothic revival console table mirror, £7,500, and a 19th century break front bookcase, £7,500.

William John Hennessy's doleful Flower Seller reached its top estimate of £9,000 under the hammer.