London

Christie’s has axed its stand-alone sales of topographical pictures and will incorporate the specialist department into the 19th century picture department based in London. Consignments in this area will now be offered in auctions in the wider category.

Old Master portraits dealer Mark Weiss tells us about his love for another kind of vintage. His collection leads our special report on the wine, whisky and spirits market.

Christie’s holds its Finest and Rarest Wines and Spirits sale in London on December 11.

The oldest bottle released from The Macallan Distillery – and the oldest age statement whisky ever offered at auction – has sold for a premium-inclusive £756,400 in London.

Tate Ward in Shoreditch, London, was set up in 2019. Among the lots coming up in its Fine Wine and Spirits sale on December 7 is a bottle of 1893 Castarede Armagnac.

A painting by an English artist but with a Scottish subject drew attention at the latest Modern Made auction held by Lyon & Turnbull (25% buyer’s premium).

A “10-year-old Laphroaig, something still readily available today” had a little bit of extra appeal when it came up for sale in west London, however.

The latest evening sales of Impressionist & Modern and Contemporary art held at Sotheby’s (25/20/13.9 buyer’s premium + 1% overhead premium) in New York produced very high-selling rates but they were somewhat slimmer affairs than the normal run of sales in this category.

A First World War ‘dead man’s penny’ memorial plaque awarded to a soldier believed to be the first black officer commissioned into a British army regiment during the conf lict and the first black officer casualty is coming up at auction.

A Chinese export dinner service used in the home of three Georgian prime ministers comes for sale this week as part of Asian Art in London.

Spider-Man has made a couple of successful appearances in recent UK sales.

Exhibition of the Mod Brit artist’s works concentrates on the second part of his career

Highlights from wide-ranging auctions held on consecutive days

As referenced in an inscription to the opening folio, this early 19th century manuscript – offered at Roseberys in south London – was produced for the Nawab of Sachin, Ibrahim Muhammed Yakut Khan I Bahadur (r.1802-53).

The East Asian tranche of the new-format Asian Art in London event runs from October 29-November 7.

Download our maps showing participants in the East Asian section of Asian Art in London, October 29-November 7.

Following on from the nominees for the best Indian and Islamic object (published in ATG No 2463), an equivalent shortlist has been announced for pieces in the East Asian category.

A selection of previews from auction houses either taking part in Asian Art in London (marked below with a *) or holding sales to coincide with the event.