UK

For 19th century sahibs in tiger country and bwanas dealing with charging lions, howdah pistols like the one offered at West Sussex gun specialist Gavin Gardiner (25% buyer’s premium) were the preferred sidearm.

A children’s book estimated at £20-40 in a May 14 sale held by Pippa Deeley (15% buyer’s premium) in Bodiam, East Sussex, was sold instead at £2200.

Portrait miniature on ivory are among the exemptions provided in the new Ivory Act [coming into force on June 6 – see front page of this issue].

Throughout the 20th century toy manufacturers produced commemorative models, with the coronation coach a particularly popular subject.

Joseph Edgar Boehm (1834-9) was commissioned to make a statue to mark the golden jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887.

Perhaps the most famous 21st century image of Queen Elizabeth II is the photographic portrait taken by Canadian artist Chris Levine (b.1960) showing the monarch with her eyes closed.

“It is quite pathetic to see the Prince and Freda. His love is so obvious and undisguisable.”

Estimated at £120-150, this modest 7in (17cm) high Chinese export silver golfing trophy sold for £5500 at Bourne End Auction Rooms (17.5% buyer’s premium).

Focus on how judges assess when art and antiques cases need special evidence

Pitched at a modest £300-500, a harlequin set of eight Charles II joined oak back stools was one of a number of successes among the furniture offered at Tennants’ (22% buyer’s premium) Leyburn sale.

Chairs and sofas by Howard & Sons are a pricey niche market these days, largely immune to the varying fortunes of the wider market for Victorian and Edwardian furniture.

A round-up of art and antiques news from the previous seven days, including news of more than £30,000 worth of jewellery stolen from an antiques centre in Tetbury.

Special look at the cross-over market for coronation and commemorative items

A presentation diamond brooch given by Queen Elizabeth II to the Duchess of Norfolk for assistance prior to her coronation in 1953 is to be offered by Mayfair auction house Noonans on June 14, estimated at £4000-6000.

Copies of royal portraits from across the centuries are something that always seems to catch the eye when you flick through (or scroll through) the reams of pictures listed in auction catalogues.

Steve Nutt runs Windsor Rare Books and exhibits at IACF and Etc Fairs. He is on AbeBooks and on Instagram @windsorrarebooks

Goldsmiths’ Company librarian Eleni Bide on commemorative hallmarks

TEFAF New York and Eye of the Collector are both cross-collecting fairs with an emphasis on Contemporary art but staged in historic buildings and also offering antiques.

Chinese emperors certainly got the message when it came to artistic advances

American customers are reappearing and dealers are hoping for a jubilee trade bounce