UK

The Komai family of sword makers and armourers were among the many Japanese metalworkers courting a new clientele during the Meiji period (1868-1912).

Thomas Spencer Fine Art brings two Henry Moore bronzes to London Art Fair, which kicks off the capital’s art fair schedule with a rich selection of Modern and Contemporary works.

A large red earthenware jar from Siwa era (14th-11th century BC), bronze age China, is offered at Mayfair Antiques & Fine Art Fair for £3800 by W Shanshan, one of a clutch of new exhibitors appearing at the London event.

Although Dutchmen John and David Elers came to London sometime in the 1680s as silversmiths, the brothers are remembered today as the potters who brought fine unglazed stonewares to Staffordshire.

The sale at Kinghams (23% buyer’s premium) in Moreton-in-Marsh included a 12in (30cm) carved cinnabar lacquer dish dating from the late Yuan or early Ming period – c.1350-1400.

Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions.

As fresh construction work finishes hopes are high in 75th anniversary year

Helen Yourston of B2B Events is gearing up for the first Malvern Flea of the year on Sunday, January 15, at the Three Counties Showground where bookings are healthy at 250 traders.

A jeweller’s shop in Lincoln which first opened in 1959 has closed its doors after 63 years in business.

A large reticulated ‘dragon and phoenix’ censer came for sale at Mallams’ (25% buyer’s premium) in Cheltenham from a Herefordshire vendor whose family had lived in Shanghai in the 1930s.

Neolithic jade congs – the inspiration for many pieces of Qing and later porcelain – are probably some of the most intriguing objects from ancient Chinese culture.

Vietnamese buyers have sent the best works of art from the Le (1428-1789) and Nguyen (1802-1945) dynasties to unchartered territory in recent years.

“We have been to the Pole and we shall die like gentlemen.”

Creative examples featured in recent UK auctions show the influence of religion and culture on the Manchu rulers of the Qing

John Robertson deals in paintings and is among the exhibitors at the Mayfair Antiques and Fine Art Fair in January.

Antiques street markets have a vibe all their own. Jennifer Titmuss of Corky Events runs her monthly antiques and vintage markets in St Albans and Chiswick and both are doing well, with the St Albans event now in its fifth year and going strong.