News topics

Beeswax wraps have become a popular alternative for food packaging. Dr Peter Cannon-Brookes, a British art historian and museologist (formerly keeper of art at Birmingham and at the National Museum of Wales), looks at the history of the waxed cloth and why beeswax could be important for the future of sustainable packaging

An early 19th century pearlware figure was the surprise performer when 200 lots from the Flower collection were offered by Lion & Unicorn (25% buyer’s premium) in Florida, on August 27.

This carved marble portrait head of a youth shown here is Roman and comes from a tightly dated period of the 2nd century.

Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions held via thesaleroom.com

Regular followers of the modern Welsh art market will know that strong competition at Rogers Jones’ (24% buyer’s premium) specialist Welsh sales normally comes for an artist called Williams.

Based in Detroit, DuMouchelles (24% buyer’s premium) still receives the occasional consignment from families tied to the glory days of the US car industry.

Items from the Robert and Nancy Nooter collection of ethnographic art come for sale at Ararity Auctions in Lorton, Virginia, on October 1.

We regret to announce the death of Bill Thomson, the well-known dealer in British watercolours, on June 6 aged 90.

Doyle New York (31% buyer’s premium) offered property from the estate of Donald D MacDermid and his landmark Greek Revival home in Chester, Connecticut.

John Eamer was a wholesale grocer who dealt in sugar imported from the West Indies. His success led to him becoming Sheriff of London in 1794.

A sword that saw action in the famed Charge of the Light Brigade sold for £1900 at Elstob Auctioneers’ (25% buyer’s premium) Antiques & Fine Art Sale.

Two portraits and a shipping scene by the Newlyn School artist were consigned from three different sources

Large group of pugilist-related works was collected over more than 50 years by London couple

Many auction houses find offering a packing and delivery option too costly and time consuming especially for a wide variety of items from an 18 piece dinner service to a dining table and 12 chairs.

Concept drawings by John Orfe (1922-2011), an American automotive and airline designer, came for sale in Virginia.

This Roman marble torso, off the radar since 1948 but recently found in a private American collection, will be offered at the Potomack Company auction in Alexandria, Virginia, on October 4.

Next month Christie’s New York will present the final sales of the remarkable Ann and Gordon Getty collection.

Prices for embroidered samplers can vary hugely depending on what specific features are involved as well as factors such as condition and provenance.

Leading the Autumn’s Arrival Auction at Akiba Galleries (25/22/20% buyer’s premium) in Dania Beach, Florida, was this spectacular pair of French bronze and enamel vases of a type shown at the 1878 Paris Exposition Universelle.

ATG’s pick of auction lots bought by internet bidders on thesaleroom.com, featuring both the highest prices over-estimate and the top prices paid online.