Auctions

A “fine”.470 calibre percussion long range target rifle by John Dickson & Co of Edinburgh offered at the April 7-8 Antony Cribb (25% buyer’s premium inc VAT) sale was boosted by an inscription from the City of Edinburgh & Midlothian Rifle Association.

ATG was interested to learn more about the two Kangxi (1662-1722) blue and white porcelain wall sconces and ‘soap dish’ sold by Mayfair firm Plakas (29% buyer’s premium) on March 19.

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.

The artist Alfred W Hallett (1914-86) is mostly known for his portraits, landscapes and flower paintings made in India from 1938 onwards.

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

Our selection of lots from eight upcoming auctions

An Indian tulwar offered at JS Fine Art (26.4% buyer’s premium inc VAT) on March 27-30 came with the simple description: “A rare Indian Tulwar from Tipu Sultan’s armoury with a characteristic lion’s head pommel and guard (formerly in the private collection of Robin Wigington).”

Amid tariffs and Trump uncertainties, recent stories have concentrated on the difficulties of doing business with the US. However, the April 29 auction held by Gavin Gardiner (25% buyer’ premum) revealed all is not lost.

Among a good number of works by John Nash (1893-1977) commanding interest at the spring sales this year was a painting titled 'Gnarled Trees' which came to Ewbank’s (25% buyer’s premium) in Surrey.

This bizarre beast of a gun is a William Smith of London 80 bore flintlock quadruple-barrelled volley pistol.

The East Anglia sale at Reeman Dansie (25% buyer’s premium) in Colchester on April 8-9 featured a stump work bound book of sermons delivered by the prominent 17th century Puritan divine Samuel Ward (1577-1640).

Among the highlights of the Fine Jewellery sale at Adam’s in Dublin on May 12 was this remarkable Louis XV hardstone, gold and gemset cane handle.

A seemingly never-ending bidding match ensued at Cortrie in Hamburg on May 9 for a tourbillon-watch by the German watchmaker Richard Miklosch (1939-2014) .