Kinghams

Stock of retiring dealer offered at auction includes items with fascinating backgrounds

From the late 18th century, Birmingham was the centre for the making of ‘toys’ – small decorative objects including boxes, nutmeg graters, buckles, caddy spoons, vinaigrettes and rattles, fashioned from silver.

Several middle-market pocket globes have appeared at regional salerooms recently – here is a selection

Created shortly after the 1830 Revolution, when Louis Philippe ruled as ‘king of the French’, the ‘Service de la Chevalerie’ was a great example of romantic historicism.

New Zealand-born architect Keith Murray (1892-1981) began to make designs for Wedgwood on a commercial basis in 1933, joining a stable of designers that included Daisy Makeig-Jones and John Skeaping.

‘Tutti Frutti’ is the name given to Cartier’s range of brightly coloured jewels in the Indian style from the 1920s-30s.

Stoneware vases and jugs from the famed Martin Brothers also show their sense of style and character

The Arabian Knights model of Princess Badoura is best known as the largest figure from the Royal Doulton HN series.

Spotlight on copy sold in superb Strutz collection – plus a look at other recent results for the Tolkien classic

Pair of rare and early French examples offered separately create a bidding frenzy despite condition issues

It was a piece of modern design that led Kinghams’ (25/18/15% buyer’s premium) latest dedicated sale of silver and objects of vertu.

These two pieces share a common Aesthetic-movement style and a link to the influential and avant-garde designer Christopher Dresser

A selection of previews from three British sales and another in Germany

Explorer and naval captain George Vancouver set sail from King’s Lynn in April 1791 aboard HMS Discovery to survey the Pacific Northwest coastline of North America.