Latest News Articles by Gabriel Berner
Crown pin cushion reputably made from royal dress material
06 January 2025Pin cushions, including an early 19th century example made from a silk dress believed to be worn by Caroline of Brunswick (1768-1821), were a major feature of a recent auction at Warwick-based Bleasdales’ (20% buyer’s premium).
Art market: Major record for Harry Dixon as Mabel makes a striking subject
30 December 2024Portrait of artist's wife stands out among works by more famous names in Salisbury saleroom
Louis Vuitton trunks stand out in the vintage luggage market
16 December 2024It is said Louis Vuitton spent 17 years mastering the art of trunk making before establishing his eponymous company in 1854.
Seventeenth century sash passed down by family descent is a belter
09 December 2024A remarkably well-preserved blue sprang sash, dated c.1620, was the stand-out lot in a sale of textiles and antiques at Cirencester auction house Dominic Winter (20% buyer’s premium).
Treen unseen: the collector who bought on trust
02 December 2024A “once-in-a-generation” collection of treen containing all manner of small turned objects, from a toasting dog to a decorated busk stay, was the major feature in a timed online sale of vernacular furniture, folk art and textiles at Bonhams Knightsbridge (28/27% buyer’s premium).
Early English oak carvings catch the eye at Chorley’s
02 December 2024Pre-17th century English oak carving tends to generate a certain amount of market excitement on the basis that much less of it survives.
Brooke’s Dales works on the rise
28 October 2024Just weeks after a new auction record for Anne Brooke (1916-2002) was achieved in the regions (see ATG No 2659), two more works by the Yorkshire-born painter attracted a flurry of bids in a Newcastle saleroom.
A case of Dismorr the merrier
28 October 2024Large group of works by the Modern British artist from a single-owner source finds a warm welcome
Bidders in the market for a Glover
30 September 2024Large urban landscapes, lorry parks, shantytowns and thronging markets feature heavily in the work of Ghanian painter Ablade Glover (b.1934).
Outback artist on the front foot
30 September 2024Aboriginal painter Namatjira’s evocative Australian work makes rare appearance in a British saleroom
Brooke boost: new auction benchmarks
09 September 2024Prices are on the rise for Yorkshire-born painter Anne Brooke (1916-2002).
Gude tidings from East Anglia as Norwegian landscape work delights
09 September 2024Tyrolean view by the renowned 19th century Norwegian landscape painter emerges in Essex saleroom
It's time to Spare in the saleroom
19 August 2024Four fresh-to-market works by the Edwardian enfant terrible artist come for sale in Exeter
Italian artist Gnoli goes with the grain in early work
19 August 2024Made with oil and sand, this work by Italian artist Domenico Gnoli (1933-70) was taken to a multi-estimate £42,000 via a phone bid at Mallams (25% buyer’s premium).
Mystery lady in green and Madonna rub shoulders
19 August 2024Appearing at a time of increased market interest in pioneering female artists, a portrait by Elizabeth Cameron Mawson (1849-1939) set a significant new artist’s record at Newcastle saleroom Anderson & Garland (25% buyer’s premium).
‘Compositions of real class’ strengthen their appeal
12 August 2024Leading several modestly pitched highlights at Ewbank’s (25% buyer’s premium) in Surrey last month was this signed charcoal portrait of a girl by Welsh painter Augustus John (1878-1961).
Bellmer’s descending nude hammered down at £95,000
12 August 2024German artist Hans Bellmer (1902-75) explored themes of desire, sexuality and the subconscious mind through his surrealistic sculptures, drawings and photographs.
Sir Alfred Munnings work trots back to rostrum 20 years later
12 August 2024Oil sketch appears at auction two decades on but overall the artist’s premium works are in short supply
Street view and galleon at sea surface in same south London sale
05 August 2024In a fortuitous coincidence, two Old Master drawings linked to leading Netherlandish painters emerged in the same auction at Roseberys (26/25/20% buyer’s premium) in south London.
St Agnes sparks a bidding battle
05 August 2024Overseas buyer emerges victorious as Old Master generates fierce competition in an Oxford sale