Features

By illustrating and combining popular folk songs with scenes of dramas of the time, the artist or workshop named Ding Liangxian created a new type of woodblock print for urban Chinese audiences in the second quarter of the 18th century.

The Rokujuyoshu Meisho Zue (Famous Views of the Sixty-odd Provinces) series was the last great landscape work created by Japanese ukiyo-e artist Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858).

The Komai family of sword makers and armourers were among the many Japanese metalworkers courting a new clientele during the Meiji period (1868-1912).

The sale at Kinghams (23% buyer’s premium) in Moreton-in-Marsh included a 12in (30cm) carved cinnabar lacquer dish dating from the late Yuan or early Ming period – c.1350-1400.

A large reticulated ‘dragon and phoenix’ censer came for sale at Mallams’ (25% buyer’s premium) in Cheltenham from a Herefordshire vendor whose family had lived in Shanghai in the 1930s.

Neolithic jade congs – the inspiration for many pieces of Qing and later porcelain – are probably some of the most intriguing objects from ancient Chinese culture.

Vietnamese buyers have sent the best works of art from the Le (1428-1789) and Nguyen (1802-1945) dynasties to unchartered territory in recent years.

Creative examples featured in recent UK auctions show the influence of religion and culture on the Manchu rulers of the Qing

A small and recently discovered painting by Peter Lanyon (1918-64) emerged at Kinghams’ (23% buyer’s premium).

While Ascot Gold Cups are not uncommon, the sight of two heading down the home straight to a rostrum finish on the same day was definitely rare.

Anna Zinkeisen (1901-76), who painted 'The Boxing Match' depicting a bout from 1928, enjoyed publicity from the painting at the time.

In its stable of women artists Modern British art specialist Osborne Samuel features Sybil Andrews (1898-1992).

Dealer Karen Taylor is among those noting that “collectors seem to be following the trend set by museums and buying more work by women”.

A hat-trick of six-figure prices was achieved for England 1966 World Cup hero Alan Ball’s (1945-2007) winner’s medal, cup final shirt and World Cup cap.

An abstract painting by Bryan Wynter (1915-75) was discovered a stone’s throw from Knightsbridge auction house Kings Russell (28% buyer’s premium).

Collectors are responding positively as dealers put overlooked female artists in the spotlight

This wartime portrait of the writer Amelia Defries shows her in the role of an ARP warden in Kensington.

The authorities in Qatar may not think so, but beer and sport can perform rather well together.

The soaring demand for sport memorabilia is evident from the result for the shirt of a player who did not even make it on to the pitch for a famous game.

The Panini company, founded by two brothers in Modena in 1961, began life producing football cards of Serie A teams.