Gloucestershire

When the ancient Egyptian obelisk known as Cleopatra’s Needle was erected on the Victoria Embankment in 1877, it was set on a massive granite foundation and shortly afterwards flanked by a pair of bronze sphinxes.

Lots offer elements that once featured on much larger spectacular 19th century creations

This bespoke 19th century fairground steam-powered confectioner’s vendor cart, to make ice cream and popcorn, tempted bidders at John Rolfe (20% buyer’s premium) in Tetbury, Gloucestershire.

In 1862, just a year after the founding of the Morris, Marshall & Faulkner Company at Red Lion Square, a circular was sent to prospective clients to announce the ‘revival of the art of painting on china tiles’.

Unusual models brings strong demand as the RAF Museum sold off items it viewed as no longer needed

The two opening lots of Chorley’s Modern Art & Design sale on June 2 were a walnut and ebony secretaire cabinet and a dresser designed and made by Arts & Crafts titan Sidney Barnsley (1865-1926).

From May 26-29 Gloucestershire auction house Kinghams held a spring exhibition titled 'William De Morgan Master Potter'.

A rare photograph of the poet and playwright Oscar Wilde taken during his time at Magdalen College, Oxford sold for £4200 (plus 22% buyer’s premium) at a Dominic Winter auction.

This bizarre beast of a gun is a William Smith of London 80 bore flintlock quadruple-barrelled volley pistol.

Cotswolds fair is "unlike any other fair – there’s a different type of person that comes to this one,” says dealer Ian Slade

Make the best of the Whitsun weekend with two fairs being staged in scenic venues close to each other

The first Australian sporting team to tour internationally included players Johnny Mullagh (traditional name Unaarrimin), Harry Bullocky (Bullchanach), Dick-a-Dick (Jungunjinanuke), Johnny Cuzens (Zellanach) and Twopenny (Murrumgunarriman).

Among the most intriguing naïve pictures sold recently was a simple and ostensibly unassuming painting of a ship offered at a recent Dominic Winter (22% buyer’s premium) auction.