UK

A new catalogue on painter-etcher Michael Blaker (1929-2018) includes a picture he executed of one of his friends as well as an etching by her.

Focus on two centres and a Cheshire fair as dealers and organisers encourage visitors

The easing of lockdown rules across the UK and Ireland will help the art and antiques sector return to some normality during the summer months.

Art specialist Buffy Parker has launched Parker Fine Art Auctions in Surrey and will hold his first sale in September.

The former boss of Online Galleries and 1stdibs International plans a ‘private members club’ marketplace for antiques dealers.

This 8 x 10in (21 x 25cm) oil on canvas board sketch of two farmhands cutting grasses with a scythe is unsigned but it carries a label on the back from an Ipswich Borough Council exhibition which identifies the artist as Harry Becker (1865-1928) and the picture’s title as Fieldworkers in Mid-Summer.

Jewellery provided one of the great expressions of the Art Nouveau style. Here ATG reports on four exceptional items made in four different countries in the early years of the 20th century

Sarah Bernhardt (1844-1923) – the first actress to achieve worldwide celebrity – continues to command attention as her work on stage and screen fades into the distant past.

A 1913 still life painted by Italian modernist Alberto Magnelli (1888- 1971) early in his career and a magazine holder of stitched leather and brass, c.1955, by French designer Jacques Adnet (1900-84) are among the works offered at M&L Fine Art’s post-lockdown show 'Close Quarters'.

These two 21in (52cm) fan leaf paintings, one with a panel of calligraphy, the other with an ink and colour landscape, are by Zhang Daquian (1899-1983).

Our regular listing of British and Irish book sales.

‘Freshness and sensible estimates’ contribute to record 5016 registrants for Macclesfield sale.