An antique desk that graced the halls of the real-life Downton Abbey is expected to fetch around £100,000 (€118,000) when it sells at auction today.

The 18th-century piece of French furniture, complete with gilt-bronze mounts and green leather top, was previously part of the collection of the Earls of Carnarvon at Highclere Castle, where the hit show is filmed.

Christie’s specialist Amelia Walker said: “It is wonderful to be offering such a beautiful bureau plat which was originally part of the notable and historic collections at Highclere Castle, made infamous as the location of Downton Abbey.”

The desk is up for sale at Christie’s auction house in London as part of a sale of two private collections – one belonging to actress-turned designer Anouska Hempel and other from the home of an anonymous collector in London’s Eaton Square.

In total, the sale is expected to realise in excess of £2.5 million (€2.95 million).