UK

Three men have been jailed for a total of 18 years for their involvement in the theft of Chinese artefacts from the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge.

The 14th century Wenlok Jug has been returned to a Luton museum after it was stolen in May.

This silver-gilt centrepiece is believed to be a prototype for a set of four soup tureens in the Royal Collection designed by John Flaxman (1756-1826) and made by John Bridge (1755-1834) for George IV.

The technological breakthrough of a clock which could keep accurate time to within one second every month was an unheard-of feat in 1727.

Special Auction Services of Newbury have been elected to the Society of Fine Art Auctioneers and Valuers (SOFAA).

Following the late summer sales in Edinburgh, Bonhams have announced that they are to sell the contents of Hensol, an historic Category A-listed mansion at Mossdale, Castle Douglas.

Prints by Eric Ravilious (1903-42) don’t crop up too often, so when Sworders’ offered a collection of five lithographs from his ‘Submarines’ series at latest sale in Stansted Mountfitchet, there was understandably a good level of interest.

Previously only known from a 1910 print and unrecorded for half a century, this 20in x 2ft 6in (50 x 75cm) oil by John William Godward (1861-1922) will be offered by Lawrences in Crewkerne on October 12.

Among the submissions considered for the Radio 4’s popular series ‘A History of the World in 100 Objects’ were two modest pieces of silver and enamel Art Nouveau-style jewellery by Charles Horner (1837-96) of Halifax – the local jeweller turned international manufacturer who through mass-production methods, innovative designs and marketing genius took high fashion to the masses.

A pair of rugs signed Francis Bacon, and thought to relate to the artist’s early career as an interior decorator, have been withdrawn from sale for the second time in three years.

Original film footage of the 1969 moon launch, including the moments before Neil Armstrong and his fellow astronauts boarded the Apollo spacecraft, has come to light in West London.

The Scottish organisers and dealers Arte in Europa, best known for organising the ‘Edinburgh Art Fair’, are expanding south of the Border with a new fair in Cheshire.

Sculptures displayed in the athletes’ village of London’s Olympic Park are to be offered at auction.

The hub of specialist auctioneers in West London, 25 Blythe Road, founded by arms, armour and militaria specialist Thomas Del Mar, is launching web-based picture sales.

A saddlecloth reputedly used by Queen Elizabeth I during her state visit to Bristol in 1574 is to be offered at auction.

Last month, we reported that seven of the 22 galleries on Cork Street in Mayfair were informed in August that their leases will not be renewed next year.

A 51-year-old man has been arrested in connection with ‘bounced cheques’ at an antiques fair.

Two men have been jailed for a string of burglaries across the South East which included taking a rhino head from Haslemere Museum in Surrey.

This Lalique ‘cire perdue’ vase was discovered by Anderson & Garland in a house just outside of Morpeth, Northumberland during a routine probate valuation.

A unique ceremonial key for opening Victoria Bridge in Kuala Kangsor, Malaysia, is one of the more unusual items coming up at JP Humbert of Towcester’s September 26-27 sale.