Lighting

If the famous image of the Milton Shield by Elkington and its £800-1200 estimate drew a double-take at a recent auction, there was good reason.

Ottoman bead carvers in Istanbul – makers of the garlands of beads known as tesbih and komboloi – were swift to appreciate the potential of Bakelite in c.1910.

A recent sale conducted by Michael Bowman (17.5% buyer’s premium) in Newton Abbot, Devon was a homespun affair – held in the auctioneer’s house, with his wife handling phone and commission bids and two assistants operating the bidding platforms remotely by way of a loudspeaker mobile phone link.

A highlight of the sale held by Andrew Jones (25% buyer’s premium) in Los Angeles on February 23 was this impressive 24-light cut and moulded glass chandelier with a 6ft 6in (1.98m) drop.

“A fabulous example of how an auctioneer can sell these collections so successfully outside of London,” said Dreweatts’ (25% buyer’s premium) managing director Jonathan Pratt in the wake of Donnington Priory’s latest auction of European furniture and works of art.

Alison Davis and Alan Old of So Last Century Vintage and Retro Fairs run their London events in suitably historic and interesting buildings.

The recent auction of 20th century design at Sworders (25% buyer’s premium) in Stansted Mountfitchet was underpinned by more than 60 consignments from the estate of MJ Long.

Mid-century style is very much on the rise at the moment – as the organisers of the two Midcentury Shows in London know well.

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

Peter Card’s fascination with this niche area stretches to the joy of extensive research

Toby Jones of Jones Antique Lighting specialises in early 20th century decorative antique lighting.

Lamps in south London form a stylish and popular part of the mid-century collecting field.

A set of four Cotswold School Arts & Crafts wall sconces, one shown below, was catalogued by Moore Allen & Innocent (20% buyer’s premium) as in the Wild Strawberry pattern and in the manner of Ernest Gimson (1864-1919).

Topped by the 17th century Dutch bottles at £30,000 (see ATG No 2375), the year’s first sale at Hannam’s (23% buyer’s premium) had other treasures among the 2000 lots including the French bronze figural torchères, right.

Those looking to brighten their home this winter could turn to the wide selection of bright or colourful antiques on offer during the next edition of 'Art & Antiques for Everyone'.

The specialist Finnish lighting designer Paavo Tynell proved to be the strong suit in a 111-lot Scandinavian design sale held by Artcurial (25/20/12% buyer’s premium) in Paris.