Plymouth Auction Rooms

With a guide of £200-£300 is a late-18th- century/early-19th-century Chinese box bearing 29 miniature glass panels, all decorated with landscapes or portraits of people. Every small glass panel is enclosed by carved borders of mother-of-pearl, which although warped or missing in places, has sufficient still in place to provide an indication of just how complex and exquisite this little box once was, and with the whole of the base completely covered in nacre, interest is expected to be high in Plymouth Auction Rooms' sale on Wednesday forthis 9.75x8.75in (25x20cm) piece.

Featuring a lovely wisteria bloom is a pretty 19th-century Italian Nove pottery oval plaque, signed on the back, for £100-£150. There is just one chip on the piece. Meawhile, in perfect condition is the fireside model of a German Shepherd by Beswick at £100-£120, portraying the animal seated but alert.

Star lot in the sale is expected to be the fine pair of diamond cluster earrings inviting £4,000-£4,500, as each has centre stones weighing about a carat, set in white gold.

The more traditional colour secures the charm bracelet in 9ct gold with seven charms that includes two seals which are quite ornate, decorated with the head of a Roman centurion.

Other charms are a bloodstone and two stone swivel, both in 9ct gold, as well as a gold lantern set with eight cut paste stones, plus a 1913 George V sovereign and a 1911 George V half sovereign. Weighing in total 3.5oz (110g) these are still very popular investments at £600-£700.

The same cannot be said of the opera glasses, despite being in mother-of- pearl and gilded, which expect just £40-£80. These were in great demand not that long ago, until so many appeared on the market it drenched demand. These are a little out of the ordinary, however, as one lens swivels to 90° and they bear their old owner's name of Baroness von Donop, 73 Eton Terrace SW.

Several old pieces from a country house in Cornwall are included, like the 19th-century wine cooler of sarcophagus form with lined and sectioned interior fitted with a Bramah lock for locking away costly victuals when sharing a house with servants. On gadrooned feet and in good order, bids of £500-£600 are expected.

For the hall is a pretty Art Nouveau lantern with vaseline glass in an ironwork frame for £300-£350, which is quite large at 22.5in (57cm) long.

Despite the glass in the 18th-century wall mirror having seen better days, the frame is more or less intact and is very ornate. Measuring 16.5x20.75in (42x53cm) the glass is surmounted by a bunch of grapes surrounded by garlands and was once an impressive piece, now inviting £800-£1,000. From the same property is a useful 19th-century canterbury in rosewood, which should make £300-£400.