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The world's leading art and antiques fair shuts early but dealers report significant sales at testing time

Long unseen material from the country home of an ancient English family brought some estimate-demolishing five-figure bids at Morphets (17.5% buyer’s premium) including a genuine sleeper.

Although championed by Stanley Spencer and the poet and critic Herbert Read, Francis Plummer (1930-2019) is a name few will have heard of.

First editions of all of Jane Austen’s major works featured in a sale last month held by Swann Galleries (25/20/12% buyer’s premium).

With just five of the 630 lots of toys and models failing to get away and an £80,000 total well above top hopes, Special Auctions Services’ Newbury sale was, said auctioneer Hugo Marsh, “just like the old days – even better”.

Three works selling at regional sales below £1500, including a Rosalie Emslie watercolour.

Two Italian Mannerist chalk drawings emerged as the top sellers in a section of Old Master drawings and prints at Cirencester saleroom Dominic Winter.

ATG’s selection of auction lots bought by internet bidders on thesaleroom.com from the period March 12-18, 2020. This includes both the highest prices over estimate and the top prices paid online.

Among the most recognisable of all the famille rose porcelain designs produced in China for export to Europe are the so-called ‘Scotsmen’ or ‘Highlander’ plates.

A collection of automaton advertising signs formed for two dedicated enthusiasts over a 10-year period was offered in a sale on March 12 at the Drouot auction centre in Paris held by Auction Art Rémy le Fur (27% inc. tax buyer’s premium).

Paul Jenkins (1923-2012), an American Abstract artist and member of the New York School, was born in Kansas City. He worked at a ceramics factory in his youth, an experience that heavily influenced his tactile methods of painting.

With the coronavirus outbreak impacting the art and antiques trade, the number of fairs being cancelled or postponed is extensive.

Among the Antarctic lots in the Travel & Exploration sale at Bonhams, the outstanding result came for a group of three glass jugs with silver lids, rims and, in two cases, hanging labels marked 'Whiskey'.

Two alluring early-20th century British school portraits of attractive young women caught the eye in recent regional sales. Both modestly estimated, they brought similar four-figure sums.

Rare works in South Cerney sale document the formative years of the Bank of England

Our regular listing of British and Irish book auctions.

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 c.1880 Doulton Lambeth stoneware tobacco jar and cover was one of the pleasant surprises at a recent David Duggleby (18.75% buyer’s premium) sale in Scarborough.

A valuation day in Tunbridge Wells led to the consignment of a late-16th century south German rosewood and bone gaming board at Catherine Southon.

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