Certainly, the failures of one or two top-rated pieces, such as an 18th century figured walnut bureau estimated at £2000-3000, were put down to their incompatibility, given their size, with desk-top computers.
It was left to a William and Mary-style walnut chest-on-stand to lead the day.
Featuring three short drawers over three further drawers upon five barley twist legs and bun feet, the 3ft 41/2in by 4ft 11in (1.03m x 1.5m) piece sold at £2400.
Other furniture entries included a George IV mahogany foldover side table, 3ft (92cm) wide, with a D-shaped top banded in satinwood, which sold at £1200 and a decorative 19th century French marquetry and parquetry inlaid bureau en pente in the Louis XV style.
Measuring 2ft 6in (76cm) wide, it featured geometric patterning throughout, and a concave moulded top over a florally inlaid lid which enclosed a fitted interior of four drawers upon slender cabriole legs. With gilt rococco mounts to the knees and sabots, it sold above estimate at £1700.
Only early 20th century but of timeless appeal, so to speak, was a mahogany longcase clock retailed by Manoah Rhodes of Bradford.
With a silvered arched dial and chapter ring, gilded Arabic numerals and gilt foliate scrolls to the face, it was probably made by Grimshaw, Baxter & J.J. Elliot Ltd of London, c.1915, and it sold at £2250.
Morphets, Harrogate, December 7
Buyer’s premium: 10 per cent
Computer-age factor causes bureau bids to crash
UK: HARROGATE, in terms of preserved 18th century elegance, may be the North’s equivalent of Bath, but even here 21st century pressures apply.
