Auction Reports

Most original British quad posters from the series of 'Carry On' films can be bought for sums in the £50-300 price bracket but a number of rarities exist.

One of the most daring air operations of the Second World War included New Zealand pilot Flight Lieutenant Maxwell Nicholas Sparks as a participant.

While Americans demonstrated by throwing tea into the harbour, the British registered complaints by putting the leaves into suitably decorated teapots.

Estimated at £100-150, this pair of 4in (11cm) Chinese vases sold for an estimate-busting £39,000 at Gorringe’s (23% buyer’s premium) in Lewes.

Serving in the Glider Pilot Regiment was a tough task during the Second World War.

Prices for good-quality writing desks continue to recover – as was evident when a George II example more than tripled top hopes.

A painted wooden shop sign that hung for many years from a store in Norwich sold at Norfolk’s newest auction house.

This large Ottoman metal thread and silk hanging features a dedication to Sultan Ahmed III (1673-1736).

A collection of Belleek porcelain totalled £7600 at Cuttlestones (20% buyer’s premium) on July 21.

Few furniture forms suffered a bigger crash in prices than the davenport.

Cache of 17th century coins found during restoration of medieval home in Brittany

Once again illustrating that few countries of origin have as great an impact on furniture prices as Malta, this 18th century commode sold for £6800 at Dawsons’ (23% buyer’s premium) July 29 Maidenhead sale.

The studio potter John Maltby (1936-2020) created this chess set shown right for the Millennium celebrations at the New Ashgate Gallery in Farnham.

This 16in (39cm) mid-18th century saltglazed stoneware bottle has two relief moulded medallions to the shoulder.

Bonhams’ (27.5/25% buyer’s premium) sale of Silver & Vertu included a number of Irish provincial pieces from the collection of Peter Ticher.

Although apparently unmarked, this pair of twin-handled porcelain covered chocolate cups, covers and saucers are a Derby model from c.1790-95.

Sir Edwin Lutyens (1869-1944) designed a number of daring light fittings for his architectural projects – all of them rare and desirable objects.

Although catalogued as 19th century, this 10½in (27cm) maiolica dish is more probably 16th century.

Following an upturn in the fortunes of the silver trade in York, an assay office reopened there in 1776 and remained active until final closure in 1858.

The rarest Scottish provincial town marks, known only from spoons and ladles, are those of Stonehaven, Ellon and Keith.