A DELIGHTFUL piece of quality Irish furniture from a seller in St Helens is set to star at the next sale at a leading Chester antiques and fine art saleroom later this month.

Despite its diminutive size the Irish mahogany silver table made in 1740 is expected to realise up to £9,000 when it goes under the hammer at Halls' Booth Mansion saleroom in Watergate Street on Wednesday, August 29.

"Irish mahogany is particularly fashionable despite being probably the least understood of all furniture styles," said auctioneer Adrian Byrne. "This silver table is an excellent example and we are expecting international interest in it, particularly from the United States where interest in all things Irish is particularly strong."

The table has been entered in the sale by a St Helens vendor, who also has also entered a George II palladian design mirror, dating to 1730, which is valued at up to £2,500.

Another notable item in the high quality auction, which has in excess of 500 lots, is a Victorian three-quarter tester bed from Staffordshire, valued at up to £1,500.

Mr Byrne rates the sale as the best held by Halls in Chester, with a fine selection of Georgian and Victorian furniture, including linen presses, chests of drawers and side tables, numerous chandeliers and light fittings, jewellery and collectables.

The quality entry in the ceramics and glass section includes pieces by Moorcroft, Doulton, Staffordshire figures, blue and white pottery and a selection of George Jones china.

"This undoubtedly will be the best sale we have held in Chester, with goods coming from as far north as Southport down to Staffordshire and as far west as Pwllheli," added Mr Byrne. "It is also the first major sale of the new season in the North West, so we are expecting keen interest."

It will be Halls' fourth sale at Booth Mansion in its new themed monthly format, which has struck a chord with vendors and buyers across North Wales, North West and much farther afield.

The saleroom will be open for viewing on Friday, August 24 and Tuesday, August 28. Anyone interested in entering items for any of the forthcoming sales is asked to contact Halls on 01244 312300.