Auction Reports

The second designated Islamic & Indian Art auction held by Lyon & Turnbull (26/25% buyer’s premium) in London included a group of market-fresh Indo-Portuguese mother-of-pearl vessels.

Palitoy was a major player in the British toys scene.

This group of three Meissen models of hares ranges in size from 3in (7cm) to 6in (16cm).

Most surviving rocking horses by FH Ayres of London date from 1880-1940 - made in the era when the safety stands (first patented by Philip Marqua of Cincinnati in 1880) had become the norm.

The Arabian Knights model of Princess Badoura is best known as the largest figure from the Royal Doulton HN series.

Once just the preserve of one or two London firms, now such consignments are there to be won for many others

A recent Fine & Decorative sale at Roseberys (26/25% buyer’s premium) was led by a very fine Berlin tapestry.

The Royal Copenhagen ‘Danish National Costumes’ series designed by sculptor and modeller Carl Martin-Hansen was produced between 1906-25.

The estimate of £1000-1500 reflected the condition of an Elizabethan ‘Great Bible’ offered at Cotswold firm Wotton Auction Rooms (20% buyer’s premium).

A scarce First World War recruiting poster proclaiming Irishmen Avenge the Lusitania has sold to a London museum as part of a large collection offered at Dorset saleroom Onslows (29% buyer’s premium inc VAT).

Full array sells for £26,000 while single lot hammers at £6500 as enthusiasts compete in salerooms

Private British buyers dominated proceedings as the Teddy Bears of Witney went under the hammer at Special Auction Services (20% buyer’s premium) in Newbury.

The core of the December 10 Out of Europe sale at the Cardiff rooms of Rogers Jones (22% buyer’s premium) was formed by the collection of Miss Annie Elizabeth Tookey.

Alabaster fragments from old Alexandria, a small box of gold from Australia, dried seaweed from the Gulf of Florida and Oceanic tribal artefacts.

The highlight of an extensive selection of Barbie dolls offered at Wessex Auction Rooms (19% buyer’s premium) proved to be, as predicted, an example of the very earliest produced.

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

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.

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.