Auctioneers

That rare beast – a good old-fashioned single-owner sale – is a format that seldom fails to produce decent results.

A painting by one of Picasso’s mistresses drew considerable interest at Halls (20% buyer’s premium) of Shrewsbury on February 6.

Drawn from sales held in the last days of January in the UK and US, an artistic device of framing a view with trees in the foreground is demonstrated in the two plates reproduced below.

Shown below is a page from an 1897 Paris edition of Robert de Flers’ 'Ilsée, Princesse de Tripoli' in which the text is framed by 132 coloured litho illustrations, borders and other decorations by Alphonse Mucha.

Three modestly valued works selling at regional sales below £900, including a David Bates view of the Wye.

Two examples of a celebrated Declaration of Independence copy hit new highs a month apart.

Two fine examples of scrimshaw were eagerly contested at the David Duggleby (21% buyer’s premium inc VAT) Scarborough auction of maritime antiques and instruments.

Our weekly selection from salerooms and dealerships.

Animalier bronzes will be on offer at Drouot in the coming weeks.

Auctioneer and valuer Michael J Stainer FSVA, based in Dorset, passed away peacefully on February 4, surrounded by his family.

A 49-lot sale of antiquities, Asian and tribal art from the collection of New York and Hollywood talent agent Jeff Hunter goes under the hammer at Freeman’s in Philadelphia on March 13.

It is a quarter of a century since ATG’s first overview of London’s numismatic auction market. Here we review the heads and the tails of 2018.

ATG’s selection of 11 coins and medals lots that were among the highlights sold at UK auctions in 2018.

This Empire-period gilt throne or ceremonial chair, measuring 3ft 11in (1.2m) high and 2ft 3in (76cm) wide, is one of the highlights of an April 7 sale of historic artefacts and memorabilia titled l’Empire à Fontainebleau.

A unique example of Emile Gallé’s glasswork created as a special piece features in the 20th century decorative art sale held by Gros & Delettrez at Drouot on March 8.

Given a surprising £200-300 estimate, a George IV brass and glass carriage clock was one of the stars of McTear’s (23% buyer’s premium) Glasgow sale on February 1.

Sworders offers late 19th and 20th century styles reflecting the period zeitgeist.

It’s not every day you see an auctioneer holding a 5ft 6in (1.67m) long sperm whale penis. Then again, it’s not every day that you see the sort of lots that are offered in Sworders’ Out of the Ordinary auction.