News topics

Long before it became the signature for the 1955-62 television show Alfred Hitchcock Presents, the director had perfected his self-portrait: an economic sketch of his profile rendered in just a couple of lines. Hitchcock would regularly draw and sign them for fans.

So-called no’oanga stools from Rurutu Island, the northernmost island of the Austral archipelago in Polynesia, are distinct in their deep seats and solid curving legs terminating in button-like feet.

The late 1850s to early 1860s was a significant period in the career of French painter Charles-François Daubigny (1817-78).

Among the most desirable of all novelty biscuit tins is the William Crawford & Sons sports coupe.

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

Like the no’oanga stool sold by Woolley & Wallis, the Polynesian ceremonial spears or staffs known as to’o also originate from the Austral Islands of Rurutu.

American actor, singer, dancer, director, and photographer Joel Grey (b.1932) is perhaps best known for his portrayal of the master of ceremonies in both the Broadway and film versions of the musical Cabaret.

Kensington Church Street dealership Reindeer Antiques is hosting an exhibition and book launch for cartoonist Annie Tempest (b.1959).

The owners of Kent’s Teapot Island museum are selling their collection of more than 8500 novelty teapots, thought to be the second-largest group in the world.

A hand-coloured engraving of an Anglo- American naval battle in 1779 hammered for $5200 against a $1000-1500 guide at Swann Auction Galleries (25% buyer’s premium) in New York City.

Meeting as neighbours at TEFAF Maastricht, two sculpture dealers have come together to hold an exhibition in London.

I read with interest about the Carlton Ware Babylon pattern coffee set that has recently sold at Peebles Auction House for £7700, a great price indeed for recent times (Pick of the week, News Digest, ATG No 2711).

A reader – a dealer – has written in with a query concerning an auction bid that he made recently.

A strong selection of European pictures gave a boost to the latest specialist picture sale held at Salisbury saleroom Woolley & Wallis’ (27/26% buyer’s premium).

Bidder was determined to secure items from their old house

Gillows was one of the few English cabinetmaking firms to regularly mark its furniture. It is estimated that the Gillows Lancaster stamp appears on roughly a third of the pieces that left its workshops.

When William Golding (1911-93) wrote his debut novel Lord of the Flies in 1953 it was rejected by nine publishers and damned as ‘rubbish and dull’ before being picked up by Faber & Faber.

A round-up of art and antiques news from the previous seven days, including news of Dreweatts offering the collection of interior designer Syrie Maugham.

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.

Former LAPADA member, furniture dealer Nimbus Antiques in north Derbyshire, is closing and plans a retirement auction at local saleroom Bamfords.