Auctions

This pair of mid-18th century Dresden sauceboats were once part of the huge holdings of silver used at the court of Frederick Augustus II (1733-63).

Late 19th century French or Swiss singing bird boxes are regular auction visitors. Double bird boxes are a much rarer breed.

Charles Robert Ashbee’s pseudo medieval wirework silver and glass jugs and bottles rank among the Guild of Handicraft’s finest work.

For the third time in a year, a new auction record for Wedgwood Fairyland lustre has been set by Woody Auction in Douglass, Kansas.

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.

Although Malta supported an estimated 600 makers from 1680-1820, relatively little silver from the period survived on the island.

The term pomander derives from the French pomme d’ambre, meaning ‘apple of amber’, a reference to the aromatic substances – ambergris, musk, civet, and spices – once formed into small balls and carried as protection against disease.

Richard Joyce, a member of one of the Tribes of Galway (the 14 merchant families who dominated the political, commercial and social life of the city), led an extraordinary life.

Although termed strawberry dishes, the classic early Georgian plain serving dish with raised fluted sides and a scalloped rim, were used for a variety of purposes.

While nowhere near the level of the First Folio of Shakespeare’s work, later versions are still big sellers

Works by Ambrosius Benson and an unknown artist possibly from Antwerp go way beyond estimates

Four lots once belonging to British army officer, author and artist – and fascist sympathiser – Lieutenant-Colonel Graham Seton Hutchison (1890-1946) went under the hammer at Special Auction Services (20% buyer’s premium) in Newbury.

Alexander Anapolsky, co-owner of Akiba Galleries (28% buyer’s premium) in Dania Beach, Florida, described an Indonesian or Malaysian kris found in a New York City estate as a compelling object with great presence.

Sustained scrap silver prices of more than £30 an ounce have sent large quantities of middle-of-the-road Georgian and Victorian domestic silver to the melting pot. Today, to sell well above the bullion price, it helps if silver comes with a strong narrative. ATG reports on a few great storytellers.

Scottish contemporary silver by Graham Leishman Stewart (1955-2020), squirreled away for decades in private collections, is now slowly beginning to reach the secondary market.

Irish silver pocket corkscrews from the Georgian period are not common.

Our selection of stand-out lots at 21 upcoming auctions

Shakespearean themed watercolour takes hammer price of £75,000 as confirmation of the artist’s status

Our regular listing of books and works on paper sales