ASIDE from the Christie's sale in London on Thursday, there is little of interest for Irish picture buyers in the week ahead. However, anyone looking for furniture will have a couple of options, beginning on Tuesday with an auction by Mullens at their salerooms in Oldcastle, Co Meath, starting at 6.30 p.m.

Among the highlights are likely to be a William IV mahogany open bookcase on a stand, which carries an estimate of £750-£1,000, and an inlaid art nouveau wardrobe (£1,000-£1,200). Also included are an early 19th century dining table, measuring 10ft, 3in by 3ft, 9in (£1,500-£1,700) and a Biedermeier style console table and mirror (£800-£1,200).

In Dublin two days later, Herm and Wilkinson will be conducting an auction on their Rathmines Road premises from 10 a.m. Of particular interest is the collection of Hicks dining room and drawing room furniture, which was all bought in the early 1950s.

These pieces include their original receipts, which makes for some interesting comparisons between former prices and current estimates. A set of six Sheraton style mahogany dining chairs, for example, which cost £80 more than 40 years ago, are now expected to make £1,000, while a mahogany sofa table, also in the style of Sheraton, has escalated from its original £35 to £1,200.

There is plenty more in this sale of almost 950 lots besides the Hicks furniture, not least a Victorian rosewood chiffonier with marble top and tapestry panel doors It is expected to make around £1,500. There is also an early Victorian inlaid walnut credenza (£1,200).