Four antique walnut chairs that belonged to singer Elton John will be auctioned in Cape Town on January 31, 2006.

South Africans will get the unique opportunity to sit on Elton's chairs at an auction by Stephan Welz (Sotheby's).

But, the chairs won't come cheap. The value of the four is estimated between R35 000 and R50 000 (US$ 5,800 to 8,300).

Bina Genovese of the auctioneers said Elton decided in 1988 to redecorate his house in London and to get rid of the extremely valuable collection of antique furniture he had started collecting in the 1960s.

The furniture was sold at an auction at Sotheby's in London and created worldwide interest. Record prices were paid for the furniture.

The four chairs that will be auctioned on January 31, 2006 were sold at the 1988 auction in London, but had found their way to South Africa. The present owner's name was not revealed.

The chairs, which look pretty uncomfortable from photographs, were made in 1905. They are highback chairs, and two have armrests.

Those in the know say the unique style is typical of 1905 when furniture manufacturers returned to "specialist work" in reaction to the mass production of furniture at the time.

Genovese said: "We expect that the four chairs will cause quite a stir countrywide."

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