UK

A rare George II caddy-topped chest bearing trade labels for London cabinet maker Giles Grendey (c.1693-1780) has been sold to a London collector after its discovery by dealer Alexander George Fine Antiques.

Relatively few English mapmakers came to the fore in the 17th century at a time when Dutch cartographers were well ahead of the competition.

Eight frost fairs were held on the Thames between 1607-1814, taking advantage of the firm ice that formed on the river as it flowed slowly in the shallows near the old London Bridge.

New online databases for extensive archive material of two core disciplines in the antiques trade have been launched.

Rarely do 19th century Staffordshire figures feature among the top-selling lots at auction these days but two bare-fist boxing champions did just that.

The December 1-2 Country House & Fine Interiors sale at Anderson & Garland (22% buyer’s premium) in Newcastle included a late 17th century walnut longcase clock by local maker William Prevost.

The sale at Thomas R Callan (20% buyer’s premium) in Ayr on December 3-4 included a sketchbook by George Chinnery (1774-1852) dated 1838.

The Tabby Cat by Mary Fedden is among the highlights in Somerset dealer Freya Mitton’s upcoming exhibition of British art.

The major draw for the Great Enfield Vintage and Collectables Fair’s new location is the free parking, said organiser Claudia Deutschmann.

In natural light this English ‘black glass’ onion form wine bottle appears distinctly blue.

Fresh generations of the famous family added to hall’s collections to create eclectic mix. Jonathan Franks reports.

Two very different lots from a November 10 sale held by Dominic Winter (20% buyer’s premium) are noted here.

Masoud Mazaheri of Bakhtiyar is among the dealers set to appear at LARTA this month.

The full fall-out from the record-breaking Dr John P Driscoll sale of British studio ceramics is yet to be understood.

Modern British sculptures were the main attraction at Wotton Auction Rooms’ (18% buyer’s premium) recent sale at Stouts Hill Manor.

The undoubted star of the November 24 sale at Tennants (20% buyer’s premium) was the early 15th century folding almanac, or girdle book, that took £95,000.

Further lots from ancient country seat star alongside a stellar specialist collection.

Left out of the Christie’s sale 20 years ago, but far from remnant-bag pieces, the 11 early needlework items from the Sir Frederick Richmond collection offered at Gildings (20% buyer’s premium) attracted keen interest from UK collectors and specialist dealers.

While the Tiepolo drawing caused the biggest stir at the Roseberys (25/20/12% buyer’s premium) November 17 sale (see separate story in this edition), there were several other notable results, writes Jonathan Franks.