Furniture

Series of three sales at Stair followed four ‘tough act to follow’ auctions held at Sotheby’s also in the US

Some ‘prisoner of war’ productions are now thought to have been made by skilled craftsmen

Ohio auction specialist Bridget McWilliams was on site at a Cleveland estate when a pair of tarnished metal centrepieces with fanciful curlicued handles caught her eye.

Firm specialising in Mid-century items can now offer two floors of furniture and interiors browsing

Our selection of lots from five upcoming auctions

A sleepy Kentian table from a home in Connecticut was awoken by a sensational sum in late April.

Standing 3ft (91cm) high, this miniature rosewood and ivory bureau cabinet illustrates the successful fusion of Indian decoration to English form achieved by artisans working in the port of Vizagapatam in the 18th century.

Piece of furniture mentioned in reference books is just of the potential purchases at Dec Fair

Stands and side tables were a prominent feature in many large Georgian houses and were used for a variety of quite specific purposes. However, it is extremely rare to find a piece of furniture designed specifically to take a goldfish bowl.

A traditional ensemble of art and antiques that had come from a property in the department of Ille et Vilaine attracted no shortage of attention when it went under the hammer at Ivoire Nantes (24% buyer’s premium) earlier this year.

From elegant furniture by Scandinavian designers to stand-out lamps and decorative pieces… the lines, materials and simplicity that characterise interiors items from the mid-century modern period appeal to a wide range of buyers.

Sworders’ run of single-owner sales continues with a two-day auction on May 13-14 titled Paul Atkinson, The Nomadic Collector.

Chairs were in particular demand at the Dulwich biannual Mid-century event

Jean Dunand was an Art Deco period craftsman known above all for his skill in the technique of lacquer and a good example of his craftsmanship was the star turn in a sale of decorative arts held by Tajan (26/21/14% buyer’s premium).