A pair of fine George III pier tables in the manner of Thomas Chippendale have sold as top lot in Sotheby's auction of The Collection of Niki and Joe Gregory in New York.

Georgian furniture has sold strongly at auction recently

Joe Gregory is the former president of Lehman Brothers - the bank whose 2008 bankruptcy was the largest in history and is attributed with precipitating the global financial crisis. The October 24 auction of his furniture follows the $17.5m sale of his Long Island mansion in June.

The George III tables resemble the work of Thomas Chippendale, and are similar to the designs of Thomas Sheraton. With the frieze closely recalling the work of Chippendale at Harewood House, they realised $305,000 - a 22% increase on the $250,000 high estimate.

The collection is comprised mainly of fine English Regency and Georgian furniture, with a pair of Regency rosewood marble top bookcases bringing the second highest bids at $173,000. The price represents a 246% increase on its $30,000-50,000 estimate.

Following was a set of 10 George III mahogany dining chairs, created circa 1765, which saw a 12.5% increase on the $100,000 valuation to realise $112,500. The set of 10 chairs was accompanied by 14 later copies.

Preceding the Gregory auction was Sotheby's Important English and European Decorative Arts sale, which saw a suite of 11 George III chairs - almost identical to those in the Gregory sale - sell for $245,000 as top lot.

Paul Fraser Collectibles has a stunning selection of fine English furniture for sale.