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As the holiday season looms ever closer, finding a gift can be a descent into retail torment, a carol-infused joy or a symphony of planning and efficient execution.

Nosheen Brohi runs jewellery dealership Fable & Windsor at Grays Antique Market in Davies Street, Mayfair

While the big hitter auction houses found the environment challenging, the mid-tier salerooms, dealers and fairs enjoyed a generally more positive experience this year

It was 45 years ago when Chris Riddle, then a teenager, first handled pieces at viewing days at his local auction house.

Generating a huge amount of international media coverage both before and after Reeman Dansie’s (25% buyer’s premium) November 5 sale titled Royalty, Antiques & Fine Art was a piece of fruitcake from the wedding of Princess Elizabeth to Lieutenant Prince Philip of Greece on November 20, 1947.

An original drawing for the project that Christo (1935-2020) intended as his only permanent, large-scale public artwork emerged at a recent Chiswick Auctions (26% buyer’s premium) sale.

The production of carved and painted pine toys in Erzgebirge, Bavaria, became a thriving cottage industry.

The late Nicholas Somers was a man of many parts who enjoyed art and antiques and life in general

It has been a very encouraging year of new fairs and business launches

A familiar and important piece of Scottish silver appeared at Waddington’s (25/22% buyer’s premium) auction in Toronto on November 7.

This pair of 5in (13cm) Qing bowls, each very finely decorated in iron red with dragons among cloud scrolls and stylised waves soared above their estimate of £200-400 to sell for £250,000 at Anderson & Garland on November 28.

A forgotten moment from the engaging story of the Martin family of potters is told through a teapot sold at Woolley & Wallis’ British Art Pottery & Design auction on December 3.

A unique sculpture by Dame Barbara Hepworth (1903-75) has been blocked from export following its sale at Christie’s in London earlier this year.

A desk belonging to Margaret Thatcher (1925-2013) made 60 times its low estimate when it appeared at Sloane Street Auctions in London on November 29.

The latest series of Old Master auctions in London looked a little thin with the evening sales comprising less than 30 lots, but the series was not without its highpoints.

Cumbr ian fi rm 1818 Auctioneers has opened a second saleroom, doubling the size of its premises at Junction 36 Auction Centre in Milnthorpe.