UK

A series of British portraits offered across two different Dreweatts (26/25% buyer’s premium) sales got the new year off to a good start at the Newbury saleroom.

Victorian arts journal was first to be illustrated with a photograph to promote Fox Talbot book

Logistics firm DHL is to change its policy on shipping knives and other bladed articles from March 1, applying a ban on carrying blades over 8in (20.3cm) long on its Express service.

This Dutch East Indies gold mounted tortoiseshell betel box hammered at £15,000 (plus 24% buyer’s premium) on the opening day of the sale held by Mellors & Kirk in Nottingham on February 11-12.

The fashion for eye miniatures – or lover’s eyes – is said to have begun with a politically and socially unacceptable royal affair.

Treasure finds in the UK are at an all-year high, a report has found.

A gentleman (Dukatenscheißer) with his trousers pulled down excreting a gilt metal coin from his bottom or a composition nodder of a grotesque women beating a child might not be for everyone.

Huddersfield dealer who started out in the trade 35 years ago talks of current selling trends

Estimated at £200-300 but sold for £4200 at Charterhouse (25% buyer’s premium) in Sherborne, Dorset, were two design books from the Royal Doulton workshop floor.

A 16th century bible in German was the most expensive book sold at auction in the UK in December.

Paintings depicting humble carpenter and not-so-humble locksmith benefit from market freshness

Celebrities and politicians are often spotted hunting for antiques at fairs, markets and centres including singer Taylor Swift who is a fan of Portobello Road Market and Boris and Carrie Johnson, seen recently at Sunbury Antiques Market at Kempton Park.