UK

Collecting 18th century English porcelain is still a popular pursuit – but there’s no doubt that the core collecting audience is smaller than it once was.

The most desirable pieces of Lowestoft porcelain are typically the documentary pieces decorated with East Anglian scenes.

This Worcester teapot, offered for sale at Lawrences (25% buyer’s premium) in Crewkerne, dates from the first decade of factory production: c.1755-57.

A small portrait of a woman that was pitched at £100-150 drew a bidding battle that carried it over 10 times estimate.

Rolf van Kiaer runs web-based antiquities dealership Helios Gallery with Samantha Neal.

Aboriginal shields come in two basic types: broad shields used for deflecting projectiles and the narrow, compact parrying shields used in close contact fighting.

A selection of Oceanic hardwood clubs and shields has come for sale at Sworders in Essex on November 9-10 as part of the auction of objects from the collection of dealer Jan Ellen Finch (1952-2021) of Finch & Co.

B2B Events has a run of upcoming events this month including its two-day Detling antiques, vintage and collectors’ fair at the Kent County Showground on Saturday and Sunday, September 10-11.

The Crimean War inspired many Staffordshire flatback figures - including this rare model made to mark the end of the conflict in 1856.

When Domenico Venuti became director of the Naples porcelain factory in 1779, he broke radically with any lingering Rococo sentiments and embraced the new neoclassical style sweeping Europe.

Over 220 items (and counting) are in the forthcoming Catalogue 119 – the latest offering from Covent Garden dealership Grosvenor Prints.

Nestled in 400 acres of land in Hampshire is Heckfield Place, a Georgian manor house masterfully restored and renovated into a luxury hotel.

'Frank Auerbach: The Sitters' at Piano Nobile includes over 40 paintings and drawings with around a third of the works for sale.

The Arts of Africa, Oceania and the Americas sale at Woolley & Wallis on September 21 includes 270 lots from the collection of tribal and pre-Columbian art assembled by Romy Rey of Richmond, Surrey.

Organised by Tricorn Fairs, the biannual Bristol Fine Antique Arms Fair returns on Sunday, September 11, at a new venue: the Aztec West Hotel and Spa.

A recent Welsh Sale, conducted by Rogers Jones (24/15% buyer’s premium) in Cardiff included a consignment of Swansea and Nantgarw that came by descent from the preeminent Welsh porcelain collector Sir Leslie Joseph.

A 1914 edition of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland proved one of the principal attractions in a July 26 sale held by Gorringe’s (23% buyer’s premium).

Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions.

Hot on the heels of Christie’s offering a collection of more than 80 18th century Battersea and Bilston enamels formed by interwar connoisseur Nellie Ionides (part of the May 27 auction of items from the estate of Lord and Lady Swaythling), Tennants (20% buyer’s premium) featured a smaller selection of similar wares across two sales in the summer.

Anti-slavery objects are enjoying a particular strong moment in the market as museums at home and in the US seek to fill holes in collections vulnerable to the label ‘pale, male and stale’.