News topics

The upcoming Old Master sales in New York in early February will be the last flagship auction series to take place with Sotheby’s ‘simplified’ buyer’s premium structure in place.

A textbook example of British Arts & Crafts jewellery – a Guild of Handicraft peacock pendant necklace designed by Charles Robert Ashbee – sold for $35,000 (£28,100) in the US at the end of 2024.

British regiments stationed in Canada in the early to mid- 19th century suffered from a peculiar problem: soldiers had a habit of deserting across the American border.

A round-up of art and antiques news from the previous seven days, including news of a record-breaking year of sales at Heritage Auctions

End of year highlights included specialist collection amassed by couple who were both renowned experts

A previously unseen Winnie the Pooh archive is on offer at Stourbridge saleroom Fieldings on January 16.

A rare group of Fairylite Thunderbirds action figures sold for £2100 in Tennants’ (24% buyer’s premium) latest Toys, Models, Collectables & Sporting sale.

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 made in Nuremberg by a firm named after a Frenchman, the cowcatcher on the front of this Gauge 1 toy locomotive gives the game away as to the intended market.

Our regular listing of books and works on paper sales

A gold-mounted garnet intaglio ring depicting the handsome Greek youth Antinous was taken to a multi-estimate £24,000 at Busby’s (25/10% buyer’s premium), triggering speculation it might be one of the lost ancient Marlborough gems.

A suite of three oak panelled bedroom pieces with original invoices from the Robert Thompson workshop were the stand-out lots at a recent sale at Gildings (24% buyer’s premium) of Market Harborough.

Lanchester Road in County Durham is a route leading eventually into the village of that name, surrounded by fields but essentially unremarkable.

A Roman marble portrait bust of an Antonine prince emerged Sworders’ (25% buyer’s premium) sale in Stansted Mountfitchet.

A pair of English walnut chairs sailed above expectations to bring £17,000 at HRD Auction Rooms (20% buyer’s premium inc VAT) in Brading on the Isle of Wight.