Auction Reports

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.

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

Sale including pieces produced by French designer in cire perdue technique attracts international interest

A remarkably well-preserved blue sprang sash, dated c.1620, was the stand-out lot in a sale of textiles and antiques at Cirencester auction house Dominic Winter (20% buyer’s premium).

A “once-in-a-generation” collection of treen containing all manner of small turned objects, from a toasting dog to a decorated busk stay, was the major feature in a timed online sale of vernacular furniture, folk art and textiles at Bonhams Knightsbridge (28/27% buyer’s premium).

Pre-17th century English oak carving tends to generate a certain amount of market excitement on the basis that much less of it survives.

The residual contents of Yorkshire country house Copgrove Hall were sold by Duggleby Stephenson (25% buyer’s premium) in York.

The Beatles Memorabilia Auction at Tracks (25% buyer’s premium) in Chorley, Lancashire included one of the most desirable of all commercial Fab Four items: the 1964 Beatles record player by NEMS Enterprises.

Former Masterpiece fair chairman was particularly enthusiastic about antiquities

A collection of miner’s lamps at Bamfords (24.75% buyer’s premium) in Derby included a pair of patent lamps by William Purdy.

In storage for a century, a remarkable group of Chinese works of art has sold for £870,000 at a south London auction.

Four items including an Irish harp and William Morris designs boasted a family connection to the artist

This Edwardian diorama offered by Smiths of Newent (20% buyer’s premium) in Gloucestershire depicts a locksmith’s shop.

“The Long Range Desert Group were masters of navigation and one of Britain’s most famous special forces. They owed much of their success to the scientific talents of their first commander, Major Ralph Bagnold, whose sun-compass invention revolutionised desert travel.” (National Army Museum.)

Two examples of substantial model presentation cannon came up at different salerooms recently.

The highest price at auction for a Bristol orphanage sampler was registered at Mellors & Kirk (24% buyer’s premium) in Nottingham.

Although born in the La Croix-Rousse district of Lyon, Antoine François Jean Claudet (1797-1867) is best known for his contribution to the history of British photography.

Premium-inclusive total achieved in Edinburgh underlines the quality of lots on offer

A focus on four Clarice Cliff chargers sold in October at two different salerooms

A rare version of Eric Ravilious' Child’s Handkerchief print and a scarcely seen Doulton figure emerged in North Yorkshire