Auctions

The latest series of Modern British art auctions in London generated a £47.2m total including premium which was significantly up on the equivalent sales last year.

ATG’s selection of hammer highlights that sold at auction in the last week, including a 16th century landscape by the artist known as ‘The Master of the Female Half-Lengths’, and a pair of children’s shoes with connections to Russian royalty.

A 200-year-old saltwater pearl, later mounted in a Belle Epoque necklace, has sold at a hammer price of £150,000 at Roseberys in West Norwood (plus 25% buyer’s premium) to a London phone bidder.

A look at upcoming stand-out lots in poster sales held around the world, along with a round-up of recent highlights – including a hammer horror classic sold by a London dealer and an Edward Wadsworth design at a Dorset auction.

The fingerprints of Old Master artist Rembrandt van Rijn have been discovered on a 17th century oil sketch by auction house Sotheby’s.

For what is probably the world’s most famous and popular steam engine, the Flying Scotsman has experienced a remarkably troubled history at times.

Not only was David Bowie a rather good musician, but he turned his talents to art as well. His diverse talents are encapsulated by two lots sold in separate UK auctions, with the first coming at Suffolk saleroom Bishop & Miller on November 10.

A menagerie of claret jugs, pepperettes, whisky tots and scent bottles is being offered for sale in Essex today.

Revitalised by the arrival in late summer of former Bellmans chief Jonathan Pratt as managing director, Dreweatts is preparing for two key auctions at its Donnington Priory saleroom this week on November 21 and 22.

Black Friday, this year on November 23, might be an import from the US where it takes place the day after Thanksgiving, but the shopping phenomenon has taken hold in the UK.