Auctioneers

Having secured his prize for a notably higher than estimate sum, the buyer of a ‘Fireball XLV’ artwork told Malcolm Phillips of Comic Book Auctions (19% buyer’s premium) that very few artworks by its creator, Mike Noble, ever come to auction.

“The initial appeal of an object is always visual, and that is where the journey begins; research follows, and one is taken across the culture and geographical area which are both influencing forces on any work of art.”

Mithradates VI was ruler of the Hellenistic kingdom of Pontus in northern Anatolia from 120-63BC and one of the Roman republic’s most formidable and determined opponents.

A group of works by painter, printmaker and war artist Edward Ardizzone (1900-79) was offered at Lawrences’ latest picture sale in Crewkerne, with eight lots coming from the artist’s family.

Advertising and antique bottle supremo Alan Blakeman of BBR Auctions discovered this massive 18½in (45cm) diameter pot lid back in the early 1980s.

Suffolk auction house Bishop & Miller is launching a series of designated oak furniture and works of art sales with the input of former Bonhams specialist David Houlston.

It was second time lucky for a 17th century ring made to commemorate the death of King Charles I.

Maker, movement, case decoration, provenance, rarity and original condition are the factors that combine to create value in the clock market. Here Richard Fox discusses some of the best examples recently sold at auction with the views of specialists at Christie’s, Sotheby’s and Bonhams

A mid-19th century English giant carriage chronometer timepiece proved to be highly sought after at a recent Bonhams’ Fine Clocks sale.

Regulators hold their own distinct appeal for collectors who like their aesthetic and are interested in their historic horological function as precision timepieces.

When this triptych came in for examination at Gloucestershire saleroom Dominic Winter, it was difficult to distinguish certain areas of the painting.

New York sale maintains run of high JK Rowling prices while Dr Seuss surfaces also in UK

The top-priced picture of the Dominic Winter sale on July 23 came for a print from a separate source to the Oliver Hoare prints.

The Cotswold Auction Company will offer a small lifetime portrait of the first American president as part of a pictures sale on October 19.

A classic ‘barn find’ piece, this somewhat dilapidated jukebox was spotted as a potential golden oldie at Gardiner Houlgate (22% buyer’s premium).

The second day of Bellmans’ (22% buyer’s premium) sale on August 3-5 included a Chinese hardwood table that catapulted way above its £1000-1500 estimate.