International (print edition)

The kumete whakairo (presentation bowl) shown here is one of three large and historically significant figure-supported bowls carved between 1865-85 by master carver Patoromu Tamatea.

The best-selling book in Australian history, with more than 30 million copies purchased is 'The Thorn Birds', a novel by Colleen McCullough published in 1977.

Portrait of first governor of Western Australia stands out in a 745-lot auction offering colonial-era items

Auction records are tumbling this year in Australia. Strong property prices, a buoyant stock market and a government with a clear mandate – after a landslide victory for Labor in May – are all contributing to confidence among buyers.

Robert Steele and Company was a partnership formed in 1816 in Greenock, Scotland, between shipbuilder Robert Steele (1745-1830) and his two sons, James and Robert, that became associated with the term ‘Clydebuilt’ ships.

Often remembered as the matriarch of an artistically gifted family, Emma Minnie Boyd (1858-1936) was an artist in her own right, exhibiting prolifically in Australia and also at the Royal Academy of Art in London.

Among the many ‘cheap and cheerful’ souvenirs made for fans of the Beatles in the 1960s were lunch boxes and flasks.

An old Instagram posting from a dealer in Virginia helped Joe Holahan confirm the backstory of a French fin de siècle bronze and marble fountain consigned at the eleventh hour to a garden statuary sale at Kamelot (25% buyer’s premium) in Philadelphia.

Only one other version of triangular-shaped timepiece sold in Florida has been found, says saleroom

An 1843 cast of Antoine-Louise Barye’s (1795-1875) celebrated bronze Theseus Battling the Minotaur has returned to the museum that displayed the work for the last 18 years.

The market for Tiffany’s Japonesque style demonstrated its strength at Heritage Auctions (25% buyer’s premium).

An 1858 portrait by Solomon Alexander Hart (1806-81), arguably the most important Jewish painter in England in the 19th century, more than doubled its high estimate in a sale in Clarence, New York.

A pair of wrought iron Arts & Crafts sunflower andirons were offered at Copake Auctions (20% buyer’s premium) in Copake, New York with an appealing guide of $150-250.

A pair of mid 19th century Chinese export paintings of Macao hammered for Can$65,000 (£35,065) at AH Wilkens (22% buyer’s premium) in Toronto, Canada.

Three Arts & Crafts oak furnishings that Charles Rohlfs (1853-1936) created for the 1901 Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York, turned in strong performances at Toomey & Co (27% buyer’s premium) in Chicago, Illinois.

Piece produced by jobbing London silversmith Simmons was owned by one of Washington’s favourites

A pair of c.1780 George III giltwood mirrors, each measuring 4ft 7in x 2ft 6in (1.39m x 76cm), hammered for $32,500 (£24,035) against a guide of $15,000-20,000 at Roland NY (25% buyer’s premium).

Two early furnishings by the Dutch designer and architect Gerrit Rietveld (1888-1964) beat their guides at Wright (27% buyer’s premium) in Chicago, Illinois. Both came with primary provenances.

A cherished piece of golf history came for sale at Carlsen Gallery (20% buyer’s premium) in Freehold, New York, and commanded a significant sum.

A claret jug combining the talents of Stevens & Williams of Stourbridge in the UK and US firm Duhme & Co from Cincinnati crushed its $2000-3000 guide to hammer for $35,000 (£25,890).