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A round-up of art and antiques news from the previous seven days, including the UK government blocking the export of a painting by Claude Lorrain (1600-82).

In 1782, the 20-year-old William Jones published a booklet of which he was the sole author, The Description and Use of a New Portable Orrery.

A selection of whimsical and distinctive Doulton Lambeth stonewares sold across three auctions in December and January

At the time of his death polar explorer and carpenter Jorgen Stubberud (1883-1980) was the last surviving member of Roald Amundsen’s successful 1910-12 expedition to the South Pole.

Our selection of lots from 12 upcoming auctions

Geoffrey ‘Geoff’ Whitaker, entrepreneur, antiques dealer and founder of the International Antiques & Collectors Fairs (IACF), died over Christmas aged 82, after a period of illness.

Pier Giorgio Gracis 1931-2025, affectionately known simply as Giorgio, was among the very last of a generation of antique dealers that frequented the London auction houses and dealers’ shops during the latter half of the 20th century.

This marble sculpture of Napoleon as Caesar is based on a model created by the French neoclassicist Antoine-Denis Chaudet for the Sèvres porcelain manufactory in 1810.

Swedish artists are especially prominent in show staged by first-time exhibitor at Master Drawings

The art world descends on New York in the closing days of January. The Winter Show, Master Drawings New York, and a number of sales at the major auction houses make the season de rigeur for major collectors.

ATG’s pick of auction lots bought by internet bidders on thesaleroom.com, featuring both the highest prices over-estimate and the top prices paid online

This year marks both the 50th anniversary of the opening of Galerie G Sarti and only a few months since the death of its founder.

The records for JK Rowling’s early work sold at auction keep tumbling, both hardback and paperback

A François Linke bureau plat that appeared on Netflix’s The Crown is now on offer at Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables.

The highlight of the latest Country House sale held by Duggleby Stephenson (25% buyer’s premium) of York was the part contents of the Kirkham Hall estate in North Yorkshire.

Pitched with an estimate of £2000-3000, a Matchbox bus offered by Oberon (20% buyer’s premium) clearly had something special for collectors to savour.

Among the reasons for the introduction of the UK's Ivory Act was to encourage other nations to bring in their own restrictions. However, little evidence has emerged so far that it has had this effect.

Our regular listing of UK and Irish books and works on paper sales