A VICTORIAN mahogany chiffonier is among the star lots at James Adam's sale next Wednesday, their first auction of the year. Around 400 lots of furniture will be on view from tomorrow, including some items in need of very large homes.

The monumental chiffonier is a fine example of Victoriana "gone mad," to borrow a phrase from Stuart Cole of James Adam. Over eight feet tall, with myriad bevelled mirrors and bevelled glass windows and doors, galleried trays and drawers, the piece is profusely carved with flowers and Chinese Chippendale style fretwork.

In superb condition, it is certainly an imposing piece, though difficult to imagine in any but the most florid setting. The estimate is £5,000-£8,000. But buyer beware: it takes at least four men to move its two sections.

On an equally grandiose scale is lot 186, a Victorian circular mahogany dining table that opens out to take four leaves and comfortably seats 18. The pillared support and quadrupled base neatly divide to reveal two further supporting legs which support the leaves.

The table has spent most of its life in its circular mode, obviously in a sunny room since its surface has faded to a pleasant pale toffee colour. The leaves, which are stored in the original oak leaf box, are dark mahogany and in pristine condition. The estimate is £4,000-£5,000.

Eight accompanying dining chairs make up the next lot. They are good stout chairs, their spoon backs nicely carved and faded to the same colour as the table. Their rather lumbering look is compensated for by the big padded seats, far more comfortable than the more spindly dining chair of the period. The top estimate is £2,500.

Another Victorian dining table, this time a long one with enormous bulbous legs and supports for no less than six leaves - which are contained in a separate box is estimated at £3,000-£4,000.

More interesting is the William IV rectangular double drop leaf extending dining table with concertina mechanism which comes with one leaf, but is missing two others. It could fetch up to £2,000.

A matched set of 12 Victorian oak frame, rail back dining chairs, with seats newly upholstered in calico, is estimated at £1,000-£1,500.

Dining room furniture apart, there are some nice pieces on offer. A campaign chest in good condition will probably reach its upper estimate of £1,000; an Irish George Ill folding top tea table raised on carved cabriole legs, could fetch up to £1,500; and a handsome William IV burr elm circular supper table also has a top estimate of £1,500.

A George III plate bucket, featured in the saleroom window is estimated at £800-£1,000; a parian study of a mother and child, with the signature of J.H. Foley and dated 1850 is expected to make up to £1,500 and a George IV carved gilt wood compartmented mirror in very good condition is estimated at £1,200-£1,500.

There is plenty of more prosaic furniture on offer in the back room, including chests, sofas and wardrobes, as well as a few unusual items, such as the Victorian stripped down cast iron fireplace (£500-£600).