Measuring 6ft 6in (1.98m) across, it was one of a dozen or so pieces from a Glasgow private collection accumulated over the past two decades.
New head of department Lee Young was able to tell the many potential purchasers this unusual piece was in fine condition - "it couldn't get much better, it had aged beautifully" - but was unable to come up with a probable candidate for the distinctive French-style design that incorporates an undulating shelf and an entablature frieze centred by a sunken lozenge. Gillow's were possibly the cabinetmakers.
In his first sale at Broughton Place, Mr Young fielded bids from half a dozen phone lines and as many interested parties in the room. Competition boiled down to a New York versus London trade battle, won by the latter at £105,000 (plus premium), some ten times the estimate.
