2026

Antiques are being scrapped in bulk as the price of silver continues to soar.

Despite suffering from water damage, wear and loss to the sheet as well as chips and cracks to the later 1950s-style frame, a head study of a bearded man brought intense competition at a recent sale at Wotton Auction Rooms.

Antiques dealers and singer Kate Bush were among those paying tribute to Matthew Upham, 64, following his tragic disappearance at sea.

With estimates from £200, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week

Three photographs of computing pioneer Ada Lovelace (1815-52) have been acquired by the National Portrait Gallery in a private treaty sale.