While, as a general rule, the form is a difficult sell, this one had much to recommend it as a hugely decorative period object.
Along with the use of rosewood, kingwood, walnut and purpleheart, it is set throughout with specimen hardstone medallions - including a central oval panel of Egyptian green porphyry.
It required some work to missing gilt gesso mouldings but was in remarkably good condition with its original 'skin' intact.
Knocked down at £19,500 on July 21-22, almost four times the top estimate and close to £24,000 when the 20% buyer's premium and VAT was added, it sold to Cotswolds dealer Craig Carrington underbid by the London trade.
Carrington, who specialises in Grand Tour and neoclassical objects, told ATG he believed it to be "a complete one-off" and clearly made to order for an important client.
He will be taking it to the LAPADA Art & Antiques Fair in Berkeley Square in September.
