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Sotheby’s edged ahead of Christie’s in terms of annual turnover in 2020, with private and online sales helping both firms offset declines in totals from live auctions.

What is perhaps the earliest dated piece of Irish glass sold at auction in Lewes.

Closing the year in some style, a patinated and parcel gilt bronze ‘double size’ figure of St George set a new auction record for Sir Alfred Gilbert (1854-1934) at Bonhams.

Demand for independent condition reports soared during lockdown, according to one restoration firm.

A handwritten account of the battle of Rorke’s Drift by Lt John Chard of the Royal Engineers, who led the renowned stand against the Zulu attack, sold for a hammer price of £140,000.

As the UK auction calendar ramps back up for the new year, expect sales to be held with no viewings or viewings by appointment.

An important work by Modern Australian artist Russell Drysdale (1912-81) equalled his auction record when it sold at Deutscher and Hackett (25% buyer’s premium).

The surprise lot at Thomson Roddick (18% buyer’s premium) was one in which the principal attraction may well have been a penny broadside of 1826.

The name William Beilby (1740-1819) is typically associated with the best of English glass and particularly the enamelling workshop operated from Amen Corner in Newcastle in the 1760s-70s.

Bid to a record £1900 in a Norfolk auction was a 1905, two-volume first of 'My Life: A Record of Events and Opinions'.

'Coming Home from the Marshes', 1886, by pioneering photographer PH Emerson (1856-1936) in his series 'Life and Landscape on the Norfolk Broads', is among the works offered in a solo show on the artist at London’s Michael Hoppen Gallery until the end of this month.

ATG’s selection of auction lots bought by internet bidders on thesaleroom.com. This includes both the highest prices over estimate and the top prices paid online.

Chicago auction house Toomey (25/20/15% buyer’s premium) offered items with links to important local figures in art and design during its Tradition & Innovation auction.

As with other sectors of the art and antiques market, Contemporary art can certainly produce dramatic bidding battles for under-valued material at auction.

Our regular listing of British and Irish book and works on paper sales.

The Bruno Effect, a digital marketplace that will provide a platform for initially 650 dealers to sell their furniture and collectables online, has revealed new dealers ahead of its launch.

Tennants’ (20% buyer’s premium) Autumn Fine Sale in Leyburn was topped by a pair of verre eglomisé pictures by Jonas Zeuner (1727-1814).