Auctions

News and previews of art and antiques sold at auctions throughout the UK and overseas, from multi-million-pound blockbusters to affordable collectables.


Mark Twain’s wooden trunk

Mark Twain’s much-travelled trunk on offer at Heritage Auctions

25 February 2017

This sturdy-looking ‘stagecoach trunk’ accompanied the great American writer Mark Twain on a great many of his travels. It will be offered for sale at Heritage Auctions in New York on March 8 where the starting bid is $25,000.

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Christie’s defends attribution over $4.3m Rubens

25 February 2017

The attribution of an oil sketch to Sir Peter Paul Rubens has pitted experts at Sotheby’s and Christie’s against each other after it hammered for $4.3m in New York last month.

Martinware

Martinware birds help Kingham & Orme’s debut auction take flight

24 February 2017

The first sale by dealers-turned-auctioneers Kingham & Orme made a hammer total of £289,490 and was led by a Martin Brothers bird.

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American First World War propaganda posters flagged up at auction

24 February 2017

Kitchener’s moustache-adorned stern visage staring out with finger extended demanding that you join your country’s army is not only one of the best-known First World War posters but one of the most familiar posters overall.

Bags

Birkin handbags lead Fellows’ auction of designer pieces

23 February 2017

Three Hermès Birkin handbags were among the leading pieces at Fellows’ latest Designer Collection auction this week.

Bonfire on Skagen Beach by Peder Severin Kroyer

Bonfire on the beach: Danish artist’s last masterwork comes to auction

22 February 2017

This dramatic study for the last masterwork produced by the Danish artist Peder Severin Kroyer (1851-1909) will be one of the highlights of the paintings and drawings sale at Bruun Rasmussen in Copenhagen later this month.

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Manchester United enamel pin badge sold at auction for 20-times estimate

22 February 2017

The white shirt bears a dark ‘V’ across the front more like St Helens rugby league team, but the ball underneath is unmistakably round rather than oval. Then the words ‘Manchester United’ emblazoned below the figure give the game away.

Qi Baishi

Journalist's ink painting bought in 1950s China to feature at Chiswick Auctions

21 February 2017

Qi Baishi’s painting of bees and chrysanthemums is coming up for sale at Chiswick Auctions, featuring both a charming subject and history as it once belonged to a journalist who trod on Chairman Mao Zedong’s toe.

Schiele

A touch of the erotic: Collection of ‘Lolita’ publisher includes nudes by Schiele and Giacometti

21 February 2017

Works collected by the late Lord Weidenfeld, founder of the publishing firm that first brought out ‘Lolita’ in English, go under the hammer at Christie’s in May. The single-owner sale includes drawings of the female form by Egon Schiele and Alberto Giacometti.

Ming vase

Imperial taste: Ming ‘masterpieces’ go to auction in New York

20 February 2017

A selection of Ming dynasty objects are to be offered for sale at Sotheby’s New York next month.

Ben Walker of Bonhams

Former dealer Ben Walker joins Bonhams as head of design in US

20 February 2017

Bonhams has announced the appointment of Ben Walker as head of modern and decorative art and design in the US.

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Early exploration of a Polar hero

18 February 2017

THE golden age of Polar exploration involves stirring stories of bravery and heroic figures – and also great interest normally at auctions.

Paul Nash

Provenance of Paul Nash painting sold at auction disputed

17 February 2017

The sale of an early 20th century artwork attributed to Paul Nash has been cancelled after recent tests have thrown doubt on its origins.

Ring

Victorian gold ring sells in Bristol auction as part of Flog It! visit

15 February 2017

A Bristol filming session for the BBC's TV show Flog It! series saw the multi-estimate sale of this Victorian gold ring.

 Jacques Charles’ Représentation du globe aerostatique

Flights of fantasy – Bonhams to offer collection dedicated to airborne experiments

15 February 2017

A French collection comprising 70-lots documenting historical attempts at achieving flight will be offered at Bonhams on March 1.

Dior

Vintage glamour under the hammer at Catherine Southon auction of Dior costume jewellery

10 February 2017

Vintage Dior jewellery regularly takes thousands of pounds at auction, but buyers at an upcoming Catherine Southon sale have the chance to score some classic pieces at three-figure sums.

Shaun Greenhalgh painting

Bolton saleroom offer convicted faker’s ‘Lowry’ imitations

10 February 2017

Three paintings by Shaun Greenhalgh, the faker who was sentenced to four years in prison in 2007, are being offered at Bolton Auction Rooms later this month.

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Empress of Russia's Fabergé gift to her Yorkshire godchildren comes to auction

09 February 2017

The tragic story of the last of the imperial Russian family does not have an immediately obvious connection with a Yorkshire spa town but it is nonetheless a strong one.

Aurora Australis from Shackleton’s National Antarctic Expedition

Example of the first book printed in Antarctica sells for £55,000

03 February 2017

A rare copy of the first book printed in Antarctica has sold for £55,000 at Bonhams.

Harry Dalmeny of Sotheby's

Harry Dalmeny appointed Sotheby’s UK chairman

02 February 2017

Harry Dalmeny, who has been with Sotheby's for over 25 years, has been appointed the company's UK chairman.

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