UK

Since the 1960s, birds have been the main subject matter of New Zealand artist Raymond Ching (b.1939).

The membership figures for the PBFA (Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association) are looking robust with 25 new members in the past 12 months, bringing the total to around 400.

Demands are growing in the antiquities trade for the British Museum to publish a list of objects stolen in an alleged theft from its collection by a member of staff.

A Regency Coade stone torchère has been acquired by The Fitzwilliam Museum from West Midlands dealership Thomas Coulborn & Sons.

A group of four lots being sold by the family of the former foreign editor of The Daily Mail includes items relating to the first direct flight across the Atlantic as well as Malcolm Campbell’s Blue Bird 1933 land speed record.

Richard Beale, director of the London auction house Roma Numismatics, has pleaded guilty to a series of charges in connection with unlawful sales of ancient coins.

This medieval document with a royal seal attached amounts to a pardon granted by Henry IV (1367-1413) to John Barlawe of the manor of Barlow in Chorlton-Cum-Hardy (now suburban Manchester).

Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions

A favourite ring of Sammy Davis Jr sold at Fellows (25% buyer’s premium) in Birmingham on August 24.

The September 21 sale at Dawsons in Maidenhead includes this Cartier natural sapphire and diamond brooch designed as a single bloom of cherry blossom.

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

With the traditional hiatus in the UK auction market typically stretching across the month of August, a number of notable picture highlights appeared slightly earlier this summer at sales around the country.

A chalcedony, sapphire and diamond flower brooch by Suzanne Belperron (1900-83) was included in Tennants’ (24% buyer’s premium) Fine Jewellery, Watches and Silver sale on July 15.

Serpent jewels, symbols of eternity and exoticism, are ever popular and two good examples are on offer this autumn.

A previously unrecorded 18th century manuscript containing 75 pieces of traditional Scottish music sold for £5000 at Lyon & Turnbull (plus 26% buyer’s premium).

Collectors with refined taste are happy to take their time even when it comes to the most important makers.