Latest News Articles by Gabriel Berner
Museum exhibitions: A selection of summer shows
23 June 2025We sample a range of exhibitions taking place this summer – from a show on Second World War maps in Edinburgh to a display of Lucian Freud’s etchings at Titanic Belfast, a dive into the Picture Post archives in Cardiff, and a Magna Carta exhibition in London exploring the lesser-known Charter of the Forest
Indian bowl rarely seen on the market causes a stir
23 June 2025This unusual 19th-century Indian enamel-on-copper footed bowl soared to 26 times its top estimate at Lindsay Burns (22% buyer’s premium) in Perth.
A double helping at the V&A
23 June 2025Whether captivated by exquisite jewellery or the clean lines and tactile allure of British studio pottery, the V&A’s two summer exhibitions are not to be missed
Sneak peek of summer auction highlights
23 June 2025This summer, a diverse range of noteworthy lots will go under the hammer at auction houses across the UK. Her we spotlight some of these – from a flag flown at the Battle of Trafalgar and a recently attributed painting by Artemisia Gentileschi to a medieval encyclopaedia and a collection of mustard pots assembled by a former Eton housemaster
Bank vault opens to reveal treasures ‘from Scandinavian aristocracy’
23 June 2025Oxfordshire sale includes minaudière designed as an alternative to traditional handbags - plus a more conventional ‘French Jazz Age’ evening bag
Scimitar ‘presented by Napoleon’ stars in London specialist sale
16 June 2025Sword linked to former emperor is one of the highlights at London sale held by maritime specialist
Treasures from a ‘miniature V&A’ family home crammed full with art and antiques
12 May 2025Graham Slater’s collection that packed a Cambridge house provided 670 lots over two auctions
Miniature globes put the world in your pocket
28 April 2025Several middle-market pocket globes have appeared at regional salerooms recently – here is a selection
‘Conventionality is deadness’: textile produced by Lady Morrell and one for her by the Lawrences
28 April 2025A notable collection of textiles from English aristocrat and society hostess Lady Ottoline Morrell (1873-1938) attracted considerable interest at Dominic Winter (22% buyer’s premium) in Cirencester.
Irish art buyers happy to spend big online
21 April 2025In typical fashion, a landscape by Irish art market heavyweight Paul Henry (1877-1958) took top honours at the latest round of auctions in Dublin – though its sale to an online bidder was an unexpected twist.
Ceramics star among lots from Antiques Roadshow expert and former Christie's specialist
14 April 2025Collection amassed by Christie’s veteran Hugo Morley-Fletcher includes ‘special group’ of porcelain
Skeleton clock linked to leading French figures including famous enameller
10 March 2025An elaborate 18th century French skeleton clock tentatively linked with two leading names working in Paris during the golden age of French clockmaking led a recent Kidson Trigg’s (20% buyer’s premium) sale in Swindon.
Emperor Commodus bust brings bidders to Oxford auction
10 March 2025A Roman marble bust of the tyrannical Emperor Commodus attracted a flurry of bids at Mallams (25% buyer’s premium) in Oxford.
Rolls-Royce timepiece ‘given as Xmas present’
10 March 2025This silver desk clock designed in the form of a Rolls-Royce radiator grille with a red enamel badge and a miniature Spirit of Ecstasy mascot perched on top is thought to have been given as a Christmas gift by the British luxury car maker to one of its distributors.
Oak back on the auction block in Salisbury
03 March 2025Salisbury saleroom holds specialist offering staged as part of a three-day sale as demand increases
Bidders speak highly of mysterious 'silent companions'
03 March 2025The so-called ‘dummy board’ or ‘silent companion’ is believed to have originated in Holland during the early 17th century.
Westwood and McClaren shirt suits parachuting punks
03 March 2025A piece of British punk fashion history drew stiff competition at Newcastle saleroom Anderson & Garland (25% buyer’s premium).
Master mariner Muddle’s mix of intriguing items reflects worldwide travels
20 January 2025Alabaster fragments from old Alexandria, a small box of gold from Australia, dried seaweed from the Gulf of Florida and Oceanic tribal artefacts.
Confident bidders compete for gem ‘believed to be Marlborough Antinous’
13 January 2025A gold-mounted garnet intaglio ring depicting the handsome Greek youth Antinous was taken to a multi-estimate £24,000 at Busby’s (25/10% buyer’s premium), triggering speculation it might be one of the lost ancient Marlborough gems.
Sought-after Chronometer observed in West Sussex saleroom
06 January 2025A stand-out lot of Bellmans’ (25% buyer’s premium) biannual Fine Clocks auction on December 5 was a chronometer made for the 1874 British expedition to observe the transit of Venus.