North America

Piece produced by jobbing London silversmith Simmons was owned by one of Washington’s favourites

A pair of c.1780 George III giltwood mirrors, each measuring 4ft 7in x 2ft 6in (1.39m x 76cm), hammered for $32,500 (£24,035) against a guide of $15,000-20,000 at Roland NY (25% buyer’s premium).

Second printing of Robert Hooke’s most famous work offered from Ohio collection boasts an impressive provenance

Two early furnishings by the Dutch designer and architect Gerrit Rietveld (1888-1964) beat their guides at Wright (27% buyer’s premium) in Chicago, Illinois. Both came with primary provenances.

A cherished piece of golf history came for sale at Carlsen Gallery (20% buyer’s premium) in Freehold, New York, and commanded a significant sum.

A claret jug combining the talents of Stevens & Williams of Stourbridge in the UK and US firm Duhme & Co from Cincinnati crushed its $2000-3000 guide to hammer for $35,000 (£25,890).

Auction house expert eulogises about a French 17th century piece of furniture ‘jewel for the eyes’

Buyers from mainland China propelled Asian lots at Quinn’s Auction Galleries (27% buyer’s premium) far beyond their guides at a recent sale in Falls Church, Virginia.

The latest Collector’s Cabinet auction at Freeman’s Hindman in Chicago included this remarkable gold, jewelled and enamelled ‘surprise’ ring.

Morphy Auctions will take over Old Toy Soldier Auctions (OTSA) following the death of founder Ray Haradin.

A recent rare books sale at Heritage Auctions (25% buyer’s premium) in the US delivered strong performances for a handful of coveted 20th century firsts in dust jackets.

Based in Lyndhurst in southern England, the late Victorian painter Arthur Batt (1846-1911) ploughed his artistic furrow painting dogs and donkeys either as portraits or in New Forest settings.