Auctions

Two 19th century harps with interesting ownership histories emerged at different salerooms in the space of two days.

Lots offer elements that once featured on much larger spectacular 19th century creations

American artist Howard Terpning (b.1927) is regarded as a master of Western art, best known for his paintings of Native Americans which can sell at auction well into six figures.

“During the 1890s, when bicycles were one of the most advertised products in the poster world, the fantastic concept that a bicycle was powerful enough to propel a rider into space was used surprisingly often.”

Qianlong (1735-96) period ‘Boy and chicken’ cups typically pay homage to those made in the Ming period – particularly the celebrated Chenghua (1464-87) doucai prototypes that have long been considered among the greatest Chinese porcelains.

Freedom Auction Company (25% buyer’s premium) in Sarasota, Florida, conducts regular sales of circus memorabilia.

For centuries, the Imperial Glass Factory at St Petersburg catered to Russian royalty, producing top-of-the-line glass wares that were good enough to feature in their daughters’ dowries.

A week after Christie’s (27/22% buyer’s premium) sold a first edition of Wuthering Heights for a record £950,000 hammer (see ATG No 2751), the King Street auction house’s sale of Valuable Books and Manuscripts including Cartography set a new record for a UK various-owner book sale at £10m hammer.

Royal Navy subjects prominent in a white-glove sale at London saleroom Charles Miller

A group of four original lithograph posters advertising exhibitions of the Viennese Secession was well received at Karl & Faber (27% buyer’s premium) in Munich.

Example dating to 1662 might have touted English master craftswoman’s skills

Fortunino Matania (1881-1963) is renowned for his realistic depictions of the First World War, visiting the front line to see the scenes for himself, and historical and royal subjects.

Among the most eagerly contested lots at Bonhams’ latest sale of Fine Decorative Arts held in Bond Street was this set of four English heraldic beasts c.1600.

A “seminal document of Parliamentary history” has been purchased at auction by dealership Philip Mould & Company for a hammer price of £62,000.

A ‘real tennis’ racquet dating from the reign of King Louis XV of France, used by the first of the great players whose achievements are on record, is being served up at auction.

After moving to a farm at Cropton, North Yorkshire, over the next 25 years Ian David Smith assembled an extensive private collection of horse-drawn vehicles and associated items.