AS observed by the standup comedian Peter Kay, Christmas is the time when families bring out the emergency chairs – those pieces of furniture that sit in the back bedroom until so many visitors descend on your house that the everyday suite just can't cope.

 

And judging by the top sellers at Moore Allen and Innocent's antique and general auction in Cirencester on Friday, November 11 plenty of families are stocking up on good-looking, well-built and reasonably-priced emergency chairs, and other pieces of furniture, in time for the festive season.

 

The top price of the day was achieved by a set of six modern yew wood Windsor armchairs in the 19th century Nottinghamshire manner. 

 

After the hammer fell at £1,100 against an estimate of £500 to £800, auctioneer Philip Allwood noted: “they were good quality reproductions, and the buyer managed to purchase a set of six for the price of one original from the 1830s.”

 

Elsewhere within the top 25 achieving lots, a early Victorian mahogany framed scroll arm sofa sold for £380 and a modern Laura Ashley Southwold wingback scroll chair made £340.

 

Some bidders obviously saw themselves as the ultimate host, buying an oak bedroom suite in the Louis XVI taste, with a triple door wardrobe decorated with shepherd and sheep, cupboards, a wash stand and a wall mirror for £660 - the third highest lot price of the day and, according to Philip, "a lot of furniture for the price."

 

Soon after, an early 20th century beech bedstead in the Louis XV taste achieved £440. 

As the sale of antique home wares gathered pace an Edwardian silver three piece tea set, hallmarked London 1907, was snapped up for £360, a late Victorian rosewood card table - on which hours of post-Christmas lunch amusement could be provided – was bought for £340, and an early Victorian mahogany dining table - perfect for family entertaining - made £310.

 

Of course, the problem with making your guests too comfortable is that they'll never want to leave. 

 

So perhaps it is no coincidence that no fewer than four antique clocks featured in the top-selling lots, including an embonised and boulle work bracket clock in the 18th century taste, which achieved £850 against an estimate of £500 to £700 - the second highest lot price of the day.

 

With its gilt metal mounts and arched glazed doors with applied ornament depicting Britannia, the highly decorative clock would present the perfect opportunity for the beleaguered host to innocently ask the guest who has outstayed his welcome: “have you noticed the time?”

 

For more information about buying and selling antiques at auction, log on to www.mooreallen.co.uk