The Art & Antiques sale, held on lot-tissimo.com, thesaleroom.com and auction.fr, yielded a particularly noteworthy result for an unusual 18th century piece of furniture.
The two-door walnut cupboard with carved floral decoration contains two rows of four drawers and was possibly made in Wurzburg.
The illustration gives the impression of a full-size piece of furniture. In fact, it is just 2ft 7in (80cm) tall.
Popular pieces
Small pieces of furniture of this type were popular in many parts of Europe. Some were used by cabinetmakers to demonstrate their craft to potential customers, others undoubtedly apprentice pieces, or those destined for Kunstkammer or toys for noble children.
Whatever the original purpose of the cupboard, it attracted numerous bidders. After a lot of to-ing and fro-ing the price had risen from the moderate guide of €1500 to €12,000 (£10,525), with a German dealer leading the field.
