Wiltshire

Lanchester Road in County Durham is a route leading eventually into the village of that name, surrounded by fields but essentially unremarkable.

The latest sale of Petroliana at Richard Edmonds Auctions (12/20% buyer’s premium) in Chippenham included a super-rare English oil can.

The Long Gallery at Messums West – established as Messums Wiltshire in 2016 by Johnny Messum – originally functioned as an equine stable.

An auctioneer who relocated to the West Country after working at a London saleroom for eight years has launched two antiques fairs.

A rare military issue by The International Watch Company sold well above estimate at Wessex Auction Rooms (19% buyer’s premium) in Chippenham, Wiltshire.

With a rusty blade and seemingly anonymous scabbard, an ornate hilt was the key as to why an Indian tulwar sword estimated at £100-200 instead sold for a huge hammer price of £109,500 (plus 22% buyer’s premium).

When it comes to the portraits of the Swiss artist Firmin Massot (1766- 1849), it tends to be depictions of young female sitters shown either full length of ‘jusqu’aux genoux’ (as far as the knees) – a format he often favoured – that attract the most attention commercially.

The Royal Doulton figure Guy Fawkes designed by Charles Noke was issued as HN98 from 1918.

A tartan deck blanket, a pocket watch and a first-class dinner menu were all top-sellers in the latest auction of Titanic, White Star and Transport Memorabilia at Henry Aldridge & Son (plus 26.4% buyer’s premium).

The sale of Enamel Signs, Automobilia and Advertising at Chippenham Auction Rooms (20% buyer’s premium) on July 29 included a rare pictorial enamel design depicting the Mauretania at full steam advertising Holzapfels Composition.

The Harrison semi-automatic pedestal knitting machine was designed c.1900 for producing rib socks.

This classic example of Venetian vedute was taken to a multi-estimate £34,000 at Gardiner Houlgate (22% buyer’s premium) in Corsham.