Auctioneers

A small picture by a giant of the 20th century Scottish art market captivated both domestic and overseas buyers at Sworders’ (25% buyer’s premium) latest Modern and Contemporary art sale.

Your starter for 10 – can you identify the artist of these still-lifes? Samuel Peploe, right?

The frame to this Irish mahogany day bed with its bold paw feet and eagle uprights bears both the Strahan name and number stamp as well as an original paper trade label.

Works by the Scottish Colourists led the day as expected at Bonhams’ (27.5/25/20/14.5% buyer’s premium) latest Scottish art sale in Edinburgh but the slightly muted demand that emerged meant it was not always plain sailing.

The opening 320-plus lots of Thomaston Place Auction Galleries’ next sale, Autumn Majestic, from November 12-14 in Maine, comprise the works from the estate of New York advertising photographer Frank Cowan (1934-2003).

To mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of the Scottish Colourist Samuel John Peploe (1871-1935), Lyon & Turnbull’s sale of Scottish Paintings & Sculpture auction on December 9 will have a special focus on the artist.

An “extremely rare” gold Thrymsa, or shilling, dating from 640-660 and minted in Northumbria or York, was the highlight of a pensioner’s collection of Anglo-Saxon coins sold at Canterbury Auction Galleries (27% buyer’s premium inc VAT) on October 3.

The last 18 months has produced something of a resurgence in the market for Paul Henry (1876-1958).

Among the Scottish pictures catching the eye at Lyon & Turnbull’s (25% buyer’s premium) sale of contents from Lowood House near Melrose was a half-length portrait by Sir Henry Raeburn (1756-1823).

The Northern Antiques Fair looks set to move permanently from Harrogate following a successful first outing at the new venue of the Tennants auction house complex in Leyburn.

Naturally inspired creations underline the renowned designer’s range of talents

Letter from cryptology expert describes his analysis of a Monte Carlo betting system

Antarctic maps take highest prices in collection relating to key Terra Nova crew member

Eye-catching and ear-pleasing, this early example of a monkey chamber orchestra musical automaton picture was one of the star performers at Tennants’ (20% buyer premium) Scientific and Musical Instruments sale.

A group of early 19th century microscope slides mounted with specimens of fossilised wood sold for £11,500 (estimate £1000-1500) to a Canadian private collector at Special Auction Services (25% buyer’s premium) in Newbury.

Two micro-mosaic pictures took a six-figure sum at a Cirencester saleroom – 10-times their low estimate.

Emile Berliner (1851-1921), a German clerk in a Washington DC haberdashery, is credited with inventing both the first commercially successful disc record and the first machine to play it.

The top two UK auction houses have announced a string of high-profile consignments coming to auction in the autumn/winter season.