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Police are appealing for information after many identifiable pieces of antique jewellery were stolen during a robbery in the Cotswolds.

The first day of the December 10-12 sale at Adam Partridge in Macclesfield, Cheshire, included a 2in (5cm) high Fabergé jewelled agate model of a cockerel or rooster.

An auction claiming to offer personal items belonging to JRR Tolkien was cancelled after doubts were raised over authenticity.

So-called ‘talc pictures’ or ‘metamorphoses’ were fashionable amusements in European courts in the second half of the 17th century.

A round-up of art and antiques news from the previous seven days, including a Magnolia pattern floor lamp by Tiffany Studios setting an auction record

The combination of a master cabinetmaker, a good provenance and a modest estimate made a prolonged bidding match for a late 18th century writing desk more or less inevitable.

A round up of news from three London dealers

Sales ranging from enamel signs to petroliana and breweriana generate a booming market

Illustrator famous for helping to bring alive the beloved bear preferred his other commissions

A first edition, first issue of the Great ‘He’ Bible sold in York for £23,000 hammer was bought by Norfolk book dealer Simon Finch, it has emerged.

Bizarrely, Ralph Fremlin – a devout Christian who founded Fremlin’s Brewery in Maidstone, Kent, in 1861 – was anti-drinking.

Our regular listing of books and works on paper sales

Security-minded German collectors were very keen to acquire pieces from a collection of historic metalwork that was offered by Van Ham (27% buyer’s premium) in Cologne.

Market freshness and good provenance have always been key components in the Old Master sector, and the latest series of auctions in this category underlined how heavily dependent the market remains on the supply of works that have these qualities.

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

A recent sale of Books, Documents & Ephemera at Stride & Son in Chichester included this 3½ x 2½in (9 x 6cm) brass and enamel cigarette case.

Our month-by-month review of the year documents major sales, new auction houses being launched, changes to landmark fairs and much more besides

With the first hardback Philosopher’s Stone at stratospheric sums, the soft cover value is rising steadily