Lawrences of Crewkerne

Auction lots for a while now have demonstrated a factor which may be termed a ‘Malta premium’.

Japanned Jennens & Bettridge creation gains value as rare survivor in such good condition

The clasps (metal bars across the ribbons) signifying participation in particular actions are a key factor driving value when it comes to the Naval General Service medal 1793-1840 awarded retrospectively for Royal navy service.

Richard Gold, the well known and respected West Country auctioneer, has died at the age of 76.

Shortly after the production of the first batch of his jasperware abolitionist medallion, Josiah Wedgwood sent a package to Benjamin Franklin with a covering letter dated February 1788 saying: “I embrace the opportunity to inclose [sic] for the use of your Excellency and friends, a few Cameos on a subject I am happy to acquaint you is daily more and more taking possession of men’s minds on this side of the Atlantic as well as with you.

A deceased estate in Dorset that yielded a notable collection of Old Masters provided a fillip to Lawrences (25% buyer’s premium) of Crewkerne’s latest mixed-category auction.

A mandolin musical box by François Nicole (b.1766) delighted bidders at Lawrences (25% buyer’s premium) of Crewkerne, selling for £22,000 against a £8000-12,000 estimate.

Latest mid-level results for works by the incredibly prolific artist underline importance of sensible estimates

The Scottish printer David Bryce (1845-1923) said that when he “descended to the miniature, mite and midget size” he had “many a scoff and jeer as to the absurdity of the production”.

A recent sale at Claydon Auctioneers (21.5% buyer’s premium) in Buckinghamshire included a suite of aluminium bedroom furniture by the HG Hawker Engineering Company.

Plucked from a box of bric-a-brac brought in for a general sale, a Commonwealth gilt brass sealing wax box sold for £5200 at Lawrences of Crewkerne. A clever pun gives a clue to its maker’s identity - and perhaps his political leanings.

Strong bidding emerged at Lawrences (25% buyer’s premium) of Crewkerne for a Swedish portrait of Ellen Wester (1873-1930), a pioneering female translator and journalist.

Archive sold in Somerset and bugle offered in Dorset reflect the first organised cycling clubs

Varied group of items related to the poet appeared for sale in Somerset

A French three-colour gold snuff box was a highlight of the silver and vertu section of Lawrences (25% buyer’s premium) of Crewkerne’s recent winter sale.

This Russian 1881/1908 pattern dragoon officer’s shaska is estimated at £2600-3200 among a wide array of militaria on offer at Lawrences of Crewkerne on November 22.

Lawrences’ (30% buyer’s premium) summer sales series in Crewkerne included a Charles II period stumpwork casket.

Three equestrian silver groups made by different London firms over the space of a century took centre stage in three separate sales in July.

Testing the market for still-lifes by Bloomsbury school favourite Duncan Grant (1885-1978), a painting by the artist emerged fresh from a notable source in Somerset.