South-west England

Latest mid-level results for works by the incredibly prolific artist underline importance of sensible estimates

The moment Johann Böttger oversaw the successful production of hard-paste porcelain at Meissen in Germany, the race was on for other European countries to create ‘white gold’.

Results from the Ombersley Court library reflect historical significance of the largely unseen works

Estimated at £200-300, a 12in (30cm) French porcelain stand in the rococo style sold for £4900 at Michael Bowman (17.5% buyer’s premium) in Chudleigh, Devon, on September 28.

Royalty, heads of state and grand families frequently chose to have their porcelain engraved with their initials or coat of arms.

The maker was not indicated in the cataloguing but a “late 19th/early 20th century dapple grey rocking horse, with leather tack” galloped away from a £200-300 estimate.

The ritual of clock-changing is upon us again when British summer time ends on Sunday October 27 and we all get an extra hour in bed.

Michael Ramsey (1904-88) who served as the 100th Archbishop of Canterbury from 1961-74, curated his own personal visitor book that tracked his career from 1942-87.

With its exaggerated, curved armrests, ample cushioning and cantilevered frame, the H269 bentwood chair is perhaps the best known of all Czech industrial furniture designs.

The Scottish printer David Bryce (1845-1923) said that when he “descended to the miniature, mite and midget size” he had “many a scoff and jeer as to the absurdity of the production”.

Sale that featured Constable and Drury big-hitters also included intriguing lots at lower price levels

The Autumn Auction at Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood in Exeter on October 15-16 includes an array of unusual objects from the collection of the late Christopher Hawkings, who at one time was the co-owner of Phillips, Son & Neale in London’s Bond Street (the firm that later became Phillips).

A recent sale at Claydon Auctioneers (21.5% buyer’s premium) in Buckinghamshire included a suite of aluminium bedroom furniture by the HG Hawker Engineering Company.

Plucked from a box of bric-a-brac brought in for a general sale, a Commonwealth gilt brass sealing wax box sold for £5200 at Lawrences of Crewkerne. A clever pun gives a clue to its maker’s identity - and perhaps his political leanings.

Fashion and textiles designer and former singer songwriter Pearl Lowe will stall out with some of her antique finds at The Vintage Bazaar in Frome on Saturday October 19.