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This 20in (51cm) pottery figure of a rhinoceros is dated to the Tang (618-907AD) period.

Sculptor Naum Kongiser (1904-84) created the propaganda figure Radio for the Village for the State Porcelain Manufactory in 1927.

The spectacular Victorian and Edwardian firework displays conducted by the venerable Mitcham firm of James Pain & Sons were often accompanied by special silk souvenir programmes.

Among the most eagerly contested lots in a recent sale at Chorley’s (23.5/15/12.5/10% buyer’s premium) was a collection of early 20th century tattoo ephemera.

The semi-precious stones adorning the hilts and scabbards of many of the best Ottoman swords held talismanic significance.

Manual relating to church charity schools is the latest example of its type to impress in a saleroom

A Gorham Martelé covered silver tankard hammered for $7500 (£5875) at Grogan & Company (25% buyer’s premium) in Boston at its September 26 Silver and Decorative Arts sale. It was estimated at $2000-3000.

It is said Louis Vuitton spent 17 years mastering the art of trunk making before establishing his eponymous company in 1854.

Generating a huge amount of international media coverage both before and after Reeman Dansie’s (25% buyer’s premium) November 5 sale titled Royalty, Antiques & Fine Art was a piece of fruitcake from the wedding of Princess Elizabeth to Lieutenant Prince Philip of Greece on November 20, 1947.

The production of carved and painted pine toys in Erzgebirge, Bavaria, became a thriving cottage industry.

The late Nicholas Somers was a man of many parts who enjoyed art and antiques and life in general

A familiar and important piece of Scottish silver appeared at Waddington’s (25/22% buyer’s premium) auction in Toronto on November 7.