A WOODEN masonic throne has sold at auction for nearly £4,000.

The unique Victorian carved oak throne was sold by auction at Martin & Pole in Wokingham for £3,800 on Wednesday April 25.

Having been created from oak and bell metal recovered from York Minster following a fire in May 1840, the chair was carved with masonic symbols, and a shield engraved with the coat of arms belonging to the 2nd Earl of Zetland, who was Provincial Grand Master in York in 1840.

Bidding on the chair was competitive between an online bidder and those in the room, but the chair will remain in Berkshire, as it was eventually purchased by The Berkshire Library and Museum of Freemasonry, based at the Masonic Centre in Sindlesham.

Furniture dominated the highest prices at the auction, with a George IV rosewood library table by the cabinet makers Gillows of Lancaster selling for £2,200, and a plywood chair from the 1930s fetching £950.

The 1930s chair was imported from Finland by Finmar Ltd, a UK importer who specialised in the import of furniture designed by the noted Scandinavian architect Alvar Aalto.

Auctioneer Matthew Coles said: "This ‘Model 403’ chair may not look much to some eyes, but it marks an important stage in the history of furniture.

“It forms the basis for many chair designs you see today, but in the 1930s it was ground-breaking. This example is in original condition, with no missing or later parts and the colour is perfect for the chairs age.”

In the silver section, an engine turned silver pocket cigarette lighter surprised many when it fetched £1,200, selling to an online bidder in China.

Martin & Pole’s next auction will be held on May 23 at its auction room in Milton Road. For more details visit www.martinpole.co.uk.