Pick of the Week

Unless you are a golfer, the name Harry Vardon is probably not a familiar one.

Not only is this a fine and unusual example of pre-war Mouseman furniture but it comes with a remarkable provenance.

A forgotten moment from the engaging story of the Martin family of potters is told through a teapot sold at Woolley & Wallis’ British Art Pottery & Design auction on December 3.

It was overshadowed by the James Bond doll when it was released in 1966 and was granted a shorter production run, but the Kissy Suzuki doll from the film 'You Only Live Twice' was star of the show at C&T Auctioneers.

When an Irish antiques sleuth paid under £200 on eBay for what appeared to be a cigar case, information about its origin was sketchy at best.

“Extremely scarce” was the description of a Scalextric C70 Type 59 Bugatti offered at auction in Lewes and it certainly lived up to that billing.

A rare presentation ship model, made to commemorate what Nelson called his ‘hardest fought battle’, sold at Doyle New York.

This miniature replica car was built by Frenchman Francis Mortarini.

A letter written to John Constable by a key patron formed part of the sale of Old Masters and 19th Century Art at Chiswick Auctions on September 18.

The only known painting of London by an 18th century Irish female artist came for sale in Salisbury earlier this month.

Long before the American/Australian actor Mel Gibson gladdened Scottish hearts with the woad-splattered film Braveheart, the early 19th century was an awakening for Caledonian identity.

Ralph ‘Randolphus’ Ayres is recorded as being head cook at New College, Oxford at various times in the 18th century.

This rare Chelsea porcelain leaf-moulded teapot and cover came between a goat-and-bee jug and a crayfish salt.

Found by a mudlark along the Thames in the early 2000s, these three well-preserved 1st-2nd century leather shoes would have once protected the feet of Roman children in Londinium.

It was on March 1, 1849 that Nathaniel Cook, the editor of the Illustrated London News, registered the design that would provide the ancient and cosmopolitan game of chess with its first standardised set.