Auction Reports


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Charles II casket could do with a bit of love

11 September 2023

Lawrences’ (30% buyer’s premium) summer sales series in Crewkerne included a Charles II period stumpwork casket.

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Cricket rarities catch attention

11 September 2023

Sporting specialist saleroom highlights include wicket-keeping gloves, bat and even a soup tureen

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It really was women and children first when HMS Birkenhead sank

11 September 2023

This 19th century watercolour on ivory portrait miniature depicts Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Seton (1814-52) of the 21st Fusiliers.

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Silver groups ride into salerooms

04 September 2023

Three equestrian silver groups made by different London firms over the space of a century took centre stage in three separate sales in July.

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Hand-embroidered pannier dress flies over expectations

04 September 2023

By the mid-18th century, as the fashion for the pannier dress reached its peak, some women wore dresses measuring 7ft (2.13m) wide.

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Dip into the Grand Tour with a sarcophagus inkstand

21 August 2023

This 19th century carved Siena marble inkstand is fashioned in the form of an ancient Roman sarcophagus.

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Beefy memorabilia reminds England of Ashes triumph

21 August 2023

England cricketer Sir Ian Botham sold a group of memorabilia from his international and club career at auction on July 15.

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Moorcroft offers multiple charms for collectors

21 August 2023

With its long and varied production lines Moorcroft remains a stalwart of Design auctions.

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Snuff mull rams in at more than 30 times top estimate

21 August 2023

The best of nine snuff mulls consigned by a titled long-standing client to Minster Auctions (16% buyer’s premium) was a treen example carved as a ram’s head with glass eyes.

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Georgian tea silver warms up the bidding

14 August 2023

While a few examples survive from the 17th and the very early 18th century, teacups and saucers are a rare form in Georgian silver.

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Nidhogg nestles in Yggdrasil: a Viking bronze die for armour

14 August 2023

A fine example of Viking metalworking was offered at Noonans (24% buyer’s premium) in Mayfair on July 18.

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Plaquette pays tribute to – or mocks – speaker Lenthall

14 August 2023

William Lenthall (1591-1662) was chosen as Speaker of the Houses of Commons at the beginning of the Long Parliament in 1640.

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Cypriot ‘plank’ figure sets a mystery

14 August 2023

Most terracotta plank figures from Bronze Age Cyprus have been found in Lapithos, a once important coastal centre on the north of the island.

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Liner launcher mallet exempted from ivory trade ban

14 August 2023

The ivory-made launching mallet and silver casket from the ill-fated RMS Empress of Ireland came for sale at McTear’s (24% buyer’s premium) in Glasgow.

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Milk jug made for William Beckford’s Fonthill Abbey comes to auction

14 August 2023

Ornate creation from Gothic fantasy comes for sale as part of the Bayreuth collection

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Cheap cape but £21,000 for in demand Star Wars Jawa figure

14 August 2023

The Vinyl Cape Jawa was the first Star Wars action figure to assume mythic status among collectors.

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Heal's garden seat was fashioned from Churchill’s yacht

14 August 2023

This Heal’s set of garden furniture added seasonal warmth to Great Western Auctions’ (24% buyer’s premium) Glasgow sale.

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Oscar Wilde letter ponders inverted commas

14 August 2023

A fine Oscar Wilde letter sold for £16,000 at Dawsons (25% buyer’s premium) in Maidenhead on June 29.

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Unusual styles at the sharp end: needlework pictures and paper cuts

07 August 2023

Do embroidery and cut-paper pictures count as art? Bidders certainly appreciate their expertise

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Monk has a beer – no wonder he’s merry

07 August 2023

Stand-out original among the 76 pieces from Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson’s workshops offered at Tennants’ (22% buyer’s premium) 20th Century Design auction was a carved oak monk sold with its working drawing.

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