Latest News Articles by Sheila Gibson Stoodley
Chinese holy water vessels blessed by a $85,000 bid
04 September 2026Described as a “pair of Chinese porcelain candlesticks. Late 19th century” and bearing the modest guide of $600-800, a pair of iron red-decorated holy water vessels hammered for $85,000 (£63,375) at Tremont Auctions (19% buyer’s premium).
Art Nouveau furniture favoured in New Jersey
04 September 2026The latest sale of Art Nouveau and Art Deco at Rago (28% buyer’s premium) in Lambertville, New Jersey yielded impressive results, totalling $953,938 (£781,450), selling 97% by lot and 165% by value.
Klimt collotype portfolios clinch top two spots in Chicago
04 September 2026Collotype portfolios by Gustav Klimt (1862-1918) ranked first and second in a Prints & Multiples sale at Toomey & Co (28% buyer’s premium) in Chicago.
President Washington portrait put on canvas in China makes 10 times estimate
04 September 2026George Washington portrait was thought to be a copy of Gilbert Stuart work by Canton artist Foeiqua
Original Wedgwood Makeig-Jones watercolour design wows buyer
21 August 2026A Wedgwood Fairyland lustre rarity – an original work on paper design by Daisy Makeig-Jones (1881-1945) – featured among the top lots in the July 12 auction at Lion and Unicorn (28% buyer’s premium).
Chair from c.1680 emerges at auction retaining original upholstery
21 August 2026Brilliantly coloured design in the Chinese manner caught the eye of famous collector and connoisseur
Tiffany inspired the Loetz golden age
21 August 2026This Loetz Klostermühle vase romped past its $600-1200 guide to hammer for $8500 (£6340) at World Auction Gallery (25% buyer’s premium) in East Meadow, New York.
Brahms manuscript radiates pure energy to excite bidders
24 July 2026An 1860s musical manuscript by German composer Johannes Brahms (1833-97), entirely in his hand, came for sale at Lion Heart Autographs (22% buyer’s premium).
EH Shepard with wind in his sails not Winnie
24 July 2026While Winnie-the-Pooh works by the renowned illustrator generate most demand, others for Grahame books are also very desirable
Wedgwood kingfisher catches the eye
17 July 2026Made c.1880, this Wedgwood majolica model of a kingfisher is a ‘rara avis’, with only a handful known.
Cabinet has the touch of Belchier
17 July 2026A recent sale at Andrew Jones Auctions (25% buyer’s premium) in Los Angeles included a textbook George II parcel gilt and black japanned bureau cabinet.
Portrait with Revolutionary appeal
17 July 2026A portrait of Hannah Rhea Caldwell (1767-1825) by artist Gilbert Stuart (1755-1828) was among the standout lots in a three-day late June sale at Thomaston Place Auction Galleries (25% buyer’s premium).
Circus posters: Roll up, roll up to ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’
17 July 2026Freedom Auction Company (25% buyer’s premium) in Sarasota, Florida, conducts regular sales of circus memorabilia.
Imperial Glass Factory decanter set displays tsar’s symbol
17 July 2026For centuries, the Imperial Glass Factory at St Petersburg catered to Russian royalty, producing top-of-the-line glass wares that were good enough to feature in their daughters’ dowries.
Whitework panel hailed as one of the earliest ‘samplers’
17 July 2026Example dating to 1662 might have touted English master craftswoman’s skills
Chinese exports with US values
10 July 2026Cross collecting helps plate from Washington’s Order of the Cincinatti service to take a six-figure price
Bing steam loco branded for the British market satisfies the sales pitch
10 July 2026Bertoia Auctions (25% buyer’s premium) did not hold back when discussing a Bing gauge 4 live steam toy locomotive with tender.
Indian royal marriage miniature painting sleeper emerges from gallery curator’s estate
10 July 2026Before the start of a recent sale at Quinn’s Auction Galleries (27% buyer’s premium), staff members of the Falls Church, Virginia, auction house speculated on which lot would outsell the rest.
First of six auctions from same source offers Meissen
10 July 2026A sale of Meissen at Revere Auctions (25% buyer’s premium) held in St Paul, Minnesota, included some prized pieces.
Printing plates provide ‘closer connection’ to artists
03 July 2026Original copper printing plates for works by famous artists do not appear often at auction, and rarely does a private collection come for sale.