Reillys Antiques | 28 March
Auction Overview
This is a very typical provincial interiors sale — solid, honest mahogany throughout, with a heavy leaning toward Edwardian inlay and standard case furniture.
There’s plenty here, but not all of it aligns with current demand. Larger, heavier brown furniture remains selective, while buyers continue to favour lighter proportions, practical forms, and pieces that sit comfortably in modern interiors.
It’s worth being cautious about taking on additional generic stock, as that’s where things tend to slow. The better opportunities here lie in pieces with a clear retail angle — whether through proportion, material, or presence.
In short: there’s value here, but it’s concentrated rather than widespread.
Dealer Bidding Sheet
1. Exceptional Edwardian Inlaid Display Cabinet (€2,500–€2,800)
A genuinely strong cabinet with real presence. One of the few pieces in the sale that feels comfortably positioned for top-end retail.
- Target Buy: €2,000–€2,200
- Retail: £4,000–£6,000
- Risk: Low
2. Pair of Slimline Edwardian Inlaid Bookcases (€1,900–€2,200)
Slim proportions and pair format make these particularly relevant in the current market.
Search catalogue: “pair bookcases”
- Target Buy: €1,600–€1,800
- Retail: £3,500–£5,000
- Risk: Low
3. Empire Mahogany Open Bookcase (€700–€800)
Simple, usable, and easy to place. Open forms continue to outperform enclosed storage.
- Target Buy: €550–€650
- Retail: £1,200–£1,800
- Risk: Very low
4. Regency Rosewood Cabinet (€900–€1,100)
Material lifts this above standard mahogany. Offers contrast and stronger visual appeal.
Search catalogue: “rosewood cabinet”
- Target Buy: €750–€900
- Retail: £1,800–£2,800
- Risk: Medium
5. Burr Walnut Foldover Games Table (€800–€900)
Strong grain and visual interest. Pieces like this photograph well and stand out online.
Search catalogue: “burr walnut”
- Target Buy: €650–€750
- Retail: £1,500–£2,200
- Risk: Low
6. 6-Leg Inlaid Mahogany Sideboard (€1,100–€1,300)
Good scale and symmetry. Works where proportions are right, though size narrows audience.
Search catalogue: “6 leg sideboard”
- Target Buy: €900–€1,050
- Retail: £2,000–£3,000
- Risk: Medium
7. Long 19th Century Upholstered Bench (€1,600–€1,800)
Broad appeal across larger interiors and commercial settings.
Search catalogue: “bench”
- Target Buy: €1,300–€1,500
- Retail: £3,000–£4,500
- Risk: Medium
8. Serpentine Georgian Games Table (€350–€450)
Shape adds visual appeal and improves saleability over standard examples.
Search catalogue: “serpentine”
- Target Buy: €280–€350
- Retail: £900–£1,400
- Risk: Low
9. Edwardian Revolving Bookcase (€250–€300)
Compact, practical, and consistently saleable.
Search catalogue: “revolving bookcase”
- Target Buy: €200–€240
- Retail: £600–£900
- Risk: Very low
10. Mahogany Wall Cabinet (€40–€50)
Entry-level decorative piece. Useful as low-risk, quick-turn stock.
- Target Buy: €30–€40
- Retail: £120–£250
- Risk: None
Closing Thoughts
There’s plenty of stock here, but the value sits in a relatively small number of lots.
A measured approach tends to work best — focusing on pieces with clear usability, good proportions, or something that sets them apart visually. Those are the items that continue to find buyers more easily, while more standard examples can take longer to move.
Taken that way, this is a sale that can still produce well — just one where selection does most of the work.
