East of England

The start of May is likely to be a busy period with outside fairs and markets opening up around England and Wales after a protracted lockdown hibernation. Here is a snapshot of a few of them.

MADAM – In September 1989, a valuable painting was left by my garage in central Cambridge.

Oil bought by the vendor directly from the artist Lucy Harwood features a still-life on the reverse

While the Museum of Power at Maldon in Essex does not yet have a firm date for reopening – to gaze at the original mighty steam-pumping machines – Steve Haddon of Haddon Events can still make use of the site.

Thirteen lots in the exotically named Dr Atomicas Journey into Cool auction at Bishop & Miller in Stowmarket on May 7 have been consigned from an individual who worked for 30 years in the film industry with some of the biggest names.

After three lockdowns but also a successful auction launch last August in between closures, Graham Hessell will be throwing open the doors once again to his Melford Antiques, Interiors & Lifestyle Centre on April 12.

Although catalogued simply as ‘a 19th century Art Nouveau glass’ and estimated at just £30-50, a letter that accompanied this rare wine glass gave a clue to its origins.

This bust of the first American president George Washington (1732-99) is titled to the base, and signed and dated 'R Trentanove Fecc in Roma, 1827'.

Sold online for a far higher than predicted £600 in Norfolk on February 11 was a calling card of William Marwood (1820-83), who for many years was an official hangman.

Stowmarket saleroom Bishop & Miller’s Military, Medals & Weapons auction on April 30 features items from a distinguished Victorian military family.

Medal group awarded to First World War nurse is coming up at Bishop & Miller auction.

Walter Sickert (1860-1942) first met Cicely Hey at a public lecture in 1923. The very next day Hey arrived at his studio in Fitzroy Street and continued to sit for Sickert over the next decade.

This Georgian grant of arms document on vellum was presented to the celebrated Scottish physician Gilbert Blane (1749-1834) after his creation as a baronet by The Prince Regent in 1812.

Entered from the estate of an Ipswich craftsman-hobbyist, the corpulent figures shown below were two of his 144 wood carvings which met unexpected demand.

Metal detectorist’s discovery linked to flamboyant earl who was a favourite of Elizabeth I

Traditional 18th century styles rub shoulders with stand-out Modern design in regional sales

The first fine art sale of 2021 at Reeman Dansie (20% buyer’s premium) will be remembered for the spectacular £100,000 bid for a Mary Beale (1633-99) work.

With crossover appeal to Meccano collectors and advertising enthusiasts, this Meccano Dealer’s No 1 slope-back cabinet from 1929-35 went well over hopes.

The latest Interiors sale at Cheffins (24.5% buyer’s premium) in Cambridge included one of the rarest of all the Britains lead soldier sets.