Auctions

As with other sectors of the art and antiques market, Contemporary art can certainly produce dramatic bidding battles for under-valued material at auction.

Our regular listing of British and Irish book and works on paper sales.

Tennants’ (20% buyer’s premium) Autumn Fine Sale in Leyburn was topped by a pair of verre eglomisé pictures by Jonas Zeuner (1727-1814).

Shown here is the opening spread of a special copy of an 1895 Dent edition of 'A Midsummer Night’s Dream' sold at Lyon & Turnbull (25/20% buyer’s premium).

Once dismissed as a mere Hans Coper follower, the studio potter is now in rising demand

Two Diego Giacometti (1902-85) bronze tables from an ‘important collection’ in Sydney appeared in a Paris auction after being consigned via an Australian saleroom.

Among the many tricks up their sleeves, magicians could use this crafty device made c.1940s by Jon Martin in London.

Cologne auction house offers fine selection of 18th century works made by both father and son

A recent fine art auction at Hansons (25% buyer’s premium) included a once magnificent Qianlong (1735-99) copper-red and underglaze blue lantern vase.

Petrol-themed enamel signs do not get much better than that made to promote British Dominions Empire Motor Insurance in c.1912.

Collection offered in Canterbury recalls the bizarre family life of Stanley Spencer

A 1633 first edition of Christopher Marlowe’s 'The Famous Tragedy of the Rich Jew of Malta' was a highlight at Swann Galleries (25/20/12% buyer’s premium).

Among the successful lots in a History of Science & Technology sale held by Bonhams Los Angeles (27.5/25/20/13.9% buyer’s premium) was a group of five signed and inscribed offprints from periodical publications of papers and other work by the logician, mathematician and analytic philosopher, Kurt Gödel.

Our regular selection of previews from UK and Irish salerooms.