London

The large pockets once inserted at the side of this leather armchair – now sealed up – give a clue to the role of the famous person who once sat on it. The chair’s nickname of ‘The Emma’ is another big hint.

Two sales that dispersed the personal effects of famous film stars, Audrey Hepburn and Vivien Leigh, marked the start of the new London auction season – and scripts, letters and books featured in both.

In our continuing series looking through the keyhole of ‘bricks and mortar’ shops in 2017, ATG talks to Patrick Sandberg, owner of the eponymous shop specialising in English furniture and works of art. Sandberg is one of the dealers exhibiting at the Winter Art & Antiques Fair Olympia (October 31-November 5).

Albert Irvin (1922-2015) is known as one of the few UK artists to work in abstract expressionism and his paintings are popular among collectors and the public.

As the popularity of the vintage home look soars, so too do the events which focus on them. Judy Berger founded her Vintage Furniture Fleas seven years ago and credits their success to a tried and tested formula.

Edge Hall, near Malpas in Cheshire, has been a home to members of the Dod family since the reign of Henry II, but the library – sold by Forum Auctions (25/20% buyer’s premium) on October 12 – was formed in the 19th century and is typical of country house libraries.

A double portrait by Federico Beltran Masses (1885-1949) attracted a flurry of bids at Bonhams’ (25/20/12% buyer’s premium) 19th Century European, Victorian and British Impressionist art auction on September 27.

The third and final Decorative Antiques and Textiles Fair of 2017 produced some significant sales in decorative furniture and beyond. Many pieces ticketed for five-figure sums found buyers during the event’s six-day run (October 3-8).

“I was astonished by the group, both in terms of their individual quality and how cohesive the collection was,” says Waterhouse & Dodd’s Jamie Anderson, who earlier this year went to see a private collection of works by David Bomberg (1890-1957).

Winter landscape. Early 20th century, possibly Russian or Scandinavian school, and ‘indistinctly signed’. That was lot 222, summed up in the catalogue at Chiswick Auctions (23% buyer’s premium) in London on October 3.

Austin Desmond Fine Art, the Modern British gallery across from London’s British Museum, is currently showing 'Keith Vaughan: On Pagham Beach, Photographs and Collages from the 1930s' (until December 8).

ATG’s commissioning editor, Anne Crane, is one of the panel given the task of deciding who and what should win the prestigious Asian Art in London Awards. Here, she provides an insight.

As Sugar and Spice, vintage dealer Emma Newman sells vintage homewares and also organises a regular small and busy fleamarket, pictured above.

We present the candidates for the 2017 AAL Awards, co-sponsored by ATG. Two honours are given for outstanding works of art: to a dealer and an auction house. Also, awards judge Anne Crane of ATG gives a personal insight.