South-west England

While modern communications would appear to have diminished the role of the King’s or Queen’s Messengers in the 21st century, the job and title remains.

This George II giltwood mirror in the Chippendale rococo taste c.1755 sold well over hopes for £20,000 at Moore Allen & Innocent (21% buyer’s premium).

From a deceased estate in Christchurch, this Attic black-figured terracotta neck amphora sold at £23,000 (estimate £3000-5000) at Duke’s (25% buyer’s premium) of Dorchester.

Biannual sale at Gloucestershire firm once again provides eclectic range of lots from across the globe

During his career at Doulton Lambeth, George Tinworth was celebrated for his series of New Testament scenes modelled in terracotta.

Wemyss Ware bulldogs decorated with cabbage roses were first made by Robert Heron’s Kirkcaldy factory in the early years of the 20th century.

Railway locomotive nameplates can bring large sums in the saleroom, even when they are included in general rather than specialist auctions.

The A 1971 Austin J40 pedal car is a relatively common sight at auction and the best tend to make around the £3000-5000 mark. For an example to make more than that it would have to be something very special.

The only known portrait of the inventor Reverend Edward Barlow (1639-1719) was sold by Bath horology specialist Gardiner Houlgate (20% buyer’s premium) earlier this summer.

During Edward Belcher’s fruitless two-year search for the lost Franklin expedition from 1852-54, many attempts were made to communicate with Inuit hunters in the hope they would have news of Franklin’s men.

Auctions like this don’t come along often these days.