THREE determined bidders battled it out for the prize lot at Hamilton Osborne King's sale in Cork last Tuesday of the contents of the Old Glebe, Timoleague.

The prize was the 18th century concave mahogany chest originally made for Lulworth Castle in Dorset, supposedly by Thomas Chippendale.

Given its remarkable construction, wonderful patina and pedigree, its catalogue estimate of £1,000 to £1,200 was ridiculously low. It sold for £7,500.

The most expensive lot of the day was the white marble bust by John Hogan of the Rev Dr John Murphy, Bishop of Cork from 1815 and scion of the famous Murphy business and brewing family. The bust sold for £7,800. A bust of his brother, Daniel Murphy, sold for £7,500.

Elsewhere in the sale there were some excellent prices from a packed room. A beautiful walnut and fruitwood inlaid small chest dating from around 1700 made £6,500 against a top estimate of a mahogany architect's table, late 18th century, made £3,800, an early 19th century pedestal desk sold for £2,800; and a faded mahogany breakfront book case, with arched glazed doors, made £2,600.

John Speede's nap The Kingdom of Ireland, dating from 1676, made £3,000.

Lot 375, a mahogany tallboy sold for £1,900 and the same price was paid for a rosewood inlaid graduated set of open bookshelves, which dated from the 19th century.