THE first country house contents auction of the autumns season will be conducted by George Mealy & Sons on Tuesday, September 10th, at The Grange, Ballyragget, Co Kilkenny. An old farmhouse to which substantial reception rooms were added in the mid 18th century, the nine bay and two storey Grange, on 25 acres, was sold to a German buyer prior to auction earlier this summer; its pre sale estimate was £325,000.

For the past 30 years, the Grange had been home to Dr Theresa White, who is now moving to a smaller property. While there is a considerable number of pieces brought in from two other estates, some 40 per cent of the 600 plus lots included in Mealy's auction come from the house itself.

Some of these items were in the Grange even before Dr White bought the property, such as a handsome William IV mahogany library bookcase by Robert Strahan, its projecting moulded pediment set above a pair of spiral reeded columns (estimate £4,000-£5,000), and a very large - 121 inches long - George III inlaid mahogany sideboard, which is raised on turned, tapering reeded legs (£2,500-£3,500).

There is also a number of earlier oak pieces in this auction, such as a fine 17th century (and later) carved tester bed, its fully panelled canopy with projecting pediment carved with trailing vines (estimate £7,000-£9,000), and a more modestly priced 17th century (and later also) oak chest (estimate £500-£700).

Among the best of the later furniture is an early 19th century inlaid and figured mahogany bombe shaped bureau (£4,000-£5,000), a George II mahogany triple top games/tea table, originally from Evington House, Carlow (£6,000-£8,000) and an Adams style mahogany extending dining table (£2,500-£3,500).

Among the selection of porcelain is a three piece Chamberlains Worcester pot pourri garniture the centre urn with a pierced liner and domed cover (£3,000- £4,000). Given that there is also a substantial selection of pictures, carpets, clocks, glass, garden furniture and silver plateware, this looks certain to be a popular auction. Viewing is on the two days prior to the sale.