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Previous form would suggest the first would do rather better than the second and this was reflected in the estimates.

The 24in (61cm) tall nude, half-covered by a stole, signed by the German sculptor E.(ernst) Seger (1868-1939) carried hopes of £2000-300 and sold at £2800.

The 10 1/2in (27cm) bronze of the girl was catalogued as Drory (20th century) Griselde signed and dated '97 and estimated at £300-400.

In fact, this was almost certainly a casting of Griselda by Alfred Drury, which is recorded among the commissions of 19th century founders Morris Singer in 1896.

Happily for auctioneer and vendor, if rather annoyingly for would-be buyers nursing hopes of a coup, more than one bidder recognised Griselda and she sold at £3200.

Bidding was generally selective in the furniture section at Harrogate, with only a 60 per cent take-up by lot. However, Robert Thompson of Kilburn still commands a loyal collector following and all eight lots offered at this 436-lot North Yorkshire sale had no trouble getting away.

Foremost was a 6ft (1.83m) wide oak sideboard dating to the 1940s, which realised £2600, while a 6ft x 3ft (1.83m x 92cm) Mouseman oak refectory dining table brought £1100 and a set of six oak dining chairs made £1950.