ITEMS with historic connect ions will be at the James Adam salesrooms next Wednesday morning when a Victorian mahogany double bed formerly owned by Irish painter Paul Henry comes up for auction with an estimate of £1,500-£2,000. In the same sale, starting at 11.30 a.m., is a 19th century Cantonese porcelain famille rose deep circular bowl which once belonged to Maud Gonne MacBride; it is expected to make £500-£800.

Of immediate interest to the auctioneers is a Victorian rectangular twin pedestal desk (estimate £800-£1,200) by Arthur Jones & Son of Dublin; James Adam worked for this company before setting up his own business.

There are quite a few other Irish pieces of furniture in the same sale, the most important of which is a George II mahogany rectangular hall table, with a central bulbous cartouche of acanthus leaves. It is expected to realise £14,000-£16,000. Then there is a Victorian mahogany-framed rectangular stool with tapestry covered seat by Robert Strahan of Dublin (£300-£500), a George Il-style mahogany blanket chest (£800-£1,000), a George II mahogany eased grandfather clock with its hood surmounted by a swan neck pediment (£2,500-£3,000), and a George III mahogany tallboy chest on chest (£1,500-£2,000).

As always, there are a number of pieces of Belleek, such as an unusual first period figure of a woman called Meditation (£2,000-£3,000), as well as the more customary tea service (£400-£500).

Other lots worth watching include a large early 19th century carved and giltwood oval wall mirror (£4,000-£5,000), an Edwardian painted satinwood bow front display cabinet surmounted by an open carved cartouche with basket of flowers (£6,000-£8,000), a Victorian rosewood secretaire wellington chest (£1,400-£1,600), a William IV mahogany transforming extending table (£2,000-£3,000) and a pair of George III inlaid mahogany half-circular side tables (£2,500-£3,500).