UK

Art specialist Buffy Parker has launched Parker Fine Art Auctions in Surrey and will hold his first sale in September.

The former boss of Online Galleries and 1stdibs International plans a ‘private members club’ marketplace for antiques dealers.

This 8 x 10in (21 x 25cm) oil on canvas board sketch of two farmhands cutting grasses with a scythe is unsigned but it carries a label on the back from an Ipswich Borough Council exhibition which identifies the artist as Harry Becker (1865-1928) and the picture’s title as Fieldworkers in Mid-Summer.

Jewellery provided one of the great expressions of the Art Nouveau style. Here ATG reports on four exceptional items made in four different countries in the early years of the 20th century

Sarah Bernhardt (1844-1923) – the first actress to achieve worldwide celebrity – continues to command attention as her work on stage and screen fades into the distant past.

A 1913 still life painted by Italian modernist Alberto Magnelli (1888- 1971) early in his career and a magazine holder of stitched leather and brass, c.1955, by French designer Jacques Adnet (1900-84) are among the works offered at M&L Fine Art’s post-lockdown show 'Close Quarters'.

These two 21in (52cm) fan leaf paintings, one with a panel of calligraphy, the other with an ink and colour landscape, are by Zhang Daquian (1899-1983).

Our regular listing of British and Irish book sales.

‘Freshness and sensible estimates’ contribute to record 5016 registrants for Macclesfield sale.

Rebecca Eames runs Eames Fine Art, which currently hosts an exhibition on Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore in its south London premises.

This George III mourning ring is engraved 'W’m Tipping, aged 17, died 23 Aug, 1792'. He drowned while bathing in the sea at Blackpool.

Interest in glyphic art, that reached its collecting apogee during Grand Tour collecting, is resurgent once more.

A trio of oils by Venetian artist Antonio Ermolao Paoletti (1834-1912) were consigned to Dawsons (23% buyer’s premium) of Maidenhead from a private London collection.

South Cerney sale of nearly 900 lots mirrors the huge offerings held in Germany

MADAM – Following on from ATG news articles (issues 2447 and 2448), it seems clear to me there is a group of Portobello Road traders who simply do not want to pay their rent during lockdown despite being in receipt of government grants.

The hunger among buyers to acquire good quality jewellery stayed strong during lockdown, writes John Benjamin.

Kevis House Gallery in Petworth hailed the return to business as sales followed the reopening of its premises.

Among the many successful online-only jewellery auctions that took place during the lockdown was that held by Bromley-based saleroom Catherine Southon (18% buyer’s premium), writes John Benjamin.