An antique chest has sold for thousands of pounds at an auction in Royston - going for five times its estimated cost.
The Georgian-style mahogany commode chest in Louis XV fashion was auctioned for £7,200 at Hanson Ross auction house, based in Lumen Road. The total paid with buyer's premium by a UK bidder was £9,446.
Amanda Butler, head of operations at Hanson Ross, said: "I came across it during a home visit and was immediately taken by it.
"Its subtle curves and exuberant ornamentation made it an object of beauty.
"It was in good condition and boasted silver gilt key and handles hallmarked Birmingham 1930 Elkington and Co. It was an outstanding piece of antique furniture.
"I was thrilled for our client when it smashed its estimate to smithereens. It deserved its place as the top-selling lot in the Hanson Ross November sale.
"Brown antique furniture has been out of fashion for a while but fine examples like this show it’s making a comeback.
"These pieces were built to last. They display outstanding workmanship and detail that’s a million miles away from today’s flatpack, throwaway furniture."
The same auction saw a childhood collection of more than 200 Pokémon trading cards sold for £3,600, after languishing in a Bedfordshire bedroom for more than 21 years.
Another lot which performed well was a Mughal reverse painting on glass of a princess holding a flower.
Housed in a maple frame, the artwork soared to £1,600 from a guide price of £200 to £400.
Amanda said: "The painting came in at a valuation day held at Cherry Lane Antiques in Towcester, Northamptonshire.
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"Results like this show how worthwhile it can be to have any unwanted objects valued.
"People are often surprised by our assessments. They’re even more amazed when their object delivers an unexpected windfall."
All items were sold in the November 17 Hanson Ross Antique Jewellery and Fine Art Auction.
Free valuations are held at Hanson Ross - which was founded by Charles Hanson in 2005 - every Friday from 10am to 1pm, and can be booked on the auction house's website.
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