Auction Reports

An early 19th century wooden peg doll featuring the original costume of a straw bonnet and cream silk dress with a mother of pearl belt, and red leather shoes, has sold for £3000 to a UK collector.

Back in October 2024 Lewes saleroom Wallis & Wallis made what was thought to be a record price for Scalextric, taking £7750 for a C70 Type 59 Bugatti.

Cathedrals, palaces and abbeys were also among the sights featured as British tourism developed

The group of Chinese ‘export’ silver offered by Gorringe’s (25% buyer’s premium) in Lewes on April 21 came by descent from Reginald Follett Codrington Hedgeland (1874-1967), an Oxford graduate from Exeter who joined the Chinese Maritime Customs Service in 1898.

Flightless bird walks away with a new owner as silver novelty rarities catch the eye at Kinghams

Though sourced separately, the two best-selling furniture lots at Gorringe’s (25% buyer’s premium) latest Fine Art & Interiors sale in Lewes were both products of colonial India.

An auction titled China 500 Years held by Mayfair orientalist firm Plakas (29% buyer’s premium) on March 19 included elements of two rare Kangxi (1662-1722) blue and white porcelain wall sconces. They were estimated at £2000-3000 but contested to £17,000.

Kali shaped from local hardwoods, typically ironwood, were traditionally made by canoe-builders in the South Sea islands.

Two of London’s salerooms sold Georgian pocket globes on March 12. Both hammered well above what proved modest estimates.

Lake District cabinetmaker and woodcarver Ernest John Oldcorn trained at Gillows of Lancaster but he found his niche after joining the Arthur W Simpson workshop.

The March 3-4 sale at Chorley’s (25% buyer’s premium) in Prinknash Abbey, Gloucestershire, was topped by a good example of Qing imperial needlework: a yellow ground silk and metal thread cushion cover.

Norwegian kjenge or kasa have been used for drinking ale at special occasions since the medieval period.

Despite the strict antique ivory rules, Japanese art can still take big sums - as a Norfolk sale demonstrates

Specialist dealer sells items from his collection in two-day auction as he heads towards semi-retirement

Specialist from west London saleroom delighted to handle not one but two Newcastle rarities in a year

Bourne End Auctions (17.5% buyer’s premium) in Buckinghamshire included a highly desirable Dunhill accessory on March 4.

Edwardian silver and enamel desk sets are rarely as extensive as this one sold by Franklin Browns (18% buyer’s premium) in Edinburgh.

Elements of a well-documented Empire period Sèvres dinner and dessert service surfaced at Kinghams (26% buyer’s premium) in Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, on March 4.

A diminutive but rare mid-17th century needlework picture sold for £11,000 in Tennants’ (24% buyer’s premium) latest Fashion, Costume and Textiles Sale.

Japanned Jennens & Bettridge creation gains value as rare survivor in such good condition