Decorative Art

Latest ceramics sales demonstrate how Martinware demand has moved on beyond Wally Birds

Henry Sandon, who has died aged 95, was a hugely popular television presenter and a giant in the world of antiques.

In the early years of the HN collection in the 1920s several companies commissioned Doulton figures to advertise their products.

Thousands of items are available to buy from dealers online. Here we pick out one that caught our eye this week.

Our selection of lots from nine upcoming auctions.

Estimated at $2500-3500, this micromosaic plaque depicting the Rape of Europa hammered for $13,000 (£10,300).

Single-owner collection forms biggest dispersal of mustard pots at auction for many years

It was with dazzling exhibition pieces that Joseph Rodgers & Sons made its reputation as Sheffield’s foremost knifemaker.

The market for Lucie Rie ceramics continues to reach new heights.

By all accounts, the Bulgarian prince and later Tsar Ferdinand I was a passionate railway enthusiast.

There were many massive English country house sales in the 20th century but the largest by volume was the contents sale at Lowther Castle during April, May and June 1947.

Corporate collection of British American Tobacco includes choice antique items related to the habit

The small German beakers known as monatsbecher (‘month beakers’) were made in sets of a dozen: one for each month of the year.

While mustard pots and caddy spoons made up much of the silver smallwork in Anderson & Garland’s (25% buyer’s premium) silver sale on November 28 (see ATG No 2619), it did also contain one notable example of a Dutch miniature.

Small is considered beautiful in many sectors but increasingly so when it comes to collecting traditional antiques with space often at a premium.

A design for a swan-shaped pendant suspended by a gracefully curved neck and bearing a scene of two more swans is among the highlights at an exhibition on the drawings and sketches of René Lalique (1860-1945).