Auction Reports

The latest sale of Objects of Vertu at Toovey’s (24.5% buyer’s premium) in West Sussex included two impressive examples of mid-20th century Australian goldsmithing.

Barrie Lewis, a Midlands wholesaler of cakes, biscuits and confectionery, began collecting old biscuit tins after he received one as a birthday gift in the early 1980s.

This 18th century mahogany card table was part of a collection of furniture from Earnshill House in Somerset offered by Busby (25% buyer’s premium) in Bridport, Dorset.

A set of six rare Scottish provincial silver trefid spoons dating from c.1686 were not only among the earliest Glasgow-made spoons recorded, but also appeared to be the only extant work by the goldsmith George Luke.

Encouraging results of two-day sale in Colchester suggests the traditional quiet period provides good selling opportunities

An attractive lot catalogued as “a fine and rare pair of 18th century European porcelain flower pots probably Meissen or Sèvres … with porcelain flowers. 7in (17 cm) high” appeared at Hampshire saleroom Hannam’s (23% buyer’s premium) on August 20.

A collection of 69 lots of studio pottery accumulated over 30 years by a Staffordshire woman totalled over £10,000.

Adam Partridge's (20% buyer’s premium) latest Studio Ceramics sale held in Macclesfield proved a popular auction, with over 680 lots fought over by 500 online registrants and 40 room bidders.

A rare James II and Queen Mary of Modena silver medal commemorating a Spanish shipwreck recovered in 1687 sold for four times the top estimate.

The inaugural Aubreys (25% buyer’s premium) live auction was held in the grounds of Loseley Park in Guildford.

Noonans’ (24% buyer’s premium) sale in London on July 17 offered a rare Carpathia and Titanic bronze medal.

Vases tell the story of an obsession to recreate a celebrated antiquity

Made with oil and sand, this work by Italian artist Domenico Gnoli (1933-70) was taken to a multi-estimate £42,000 via a phone bid at Mallams (25% buyer’s premium).

Agnete Hoy (1914-2000) brought her own distinctive style to the ailing Doulton Lambeth factory, reviving the traditional decorative methods of earlier artists to make contemporary stonewares from 1952 until the studio closed in 1957.

'Freedom is in Peril Defend it with all your Might' was a British propaganda poster published by the Ministry of Information.

Highlights from the estate of Max Clendinning and Ralph Adron sold at Sworders

One of the more unusual items on offer at Tennants’ (20% buyer’s premium) Summer Fine Sale was a lock of hair from the 19th century nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale (1820-1910). It was thought to have been cut in 1883 when she was 63 years old.

While the famous railway poster featuring the Jolly Fisherman (see ATG No 2653) promoted Skegness, the example shown here was intended to tempt holidaymaker to another Lincolnshire seaside resort.

Huge Roger Hensman collection sale in Stourbridge featured up to 10,000 examples sold in 859 lots