The vendor believed they were early 18th century and could be attributed to the Venetian ivory carver Antonio Leoni.
Panels in the same style, depicting ancient battle scenes and Germanic soldiers, were executed c.1710 when Leoni worked at the Düsseldorf court of Johann Wilhelm II of the Palatinate (1690-1716). Similar work in the Baroque taste was much reproduced by French carvers in the 19th century.
Each measuring 13in (33cm) wide, the panels were estimated at €4000-6000 for the Co Kilkenny auction and sold to a UK collector at €15,000 (£12,750).
