Features

The Militaria auction at Norfolk saleroom TW Gaze on April 18 includes an item linked to Napoleon’s exile on St Helena.

The Germans began firing V1 flying bombs at Britain in June 1944 and V2 rockets followed that September.

Mayfair auction house builds on an excellent performance last year with stand-out results at the start of 2024

Among six-figure successes in the medals market, last year Spink sold the ‘Operation Chastise’ Distinguished Flying Cross group of five given to Dambuster Flt Lt Edward ‘Johnnie’ Johnson for £105,000.

With space and privacy at a premium on board ships, sailors used ditty boxes to store their most treasured possessions plus personal necessities and everyday items such as sewing kit.

Seeking advice from someone with years of experience who has closely studied antique furniture is the only sure way of safely buying in this field, but here are some handy tips on what to consider from furniture specialist Richard Coles, director of Godson & Coles in Fulham.

A challenging middle market and soaring property prices have driven most restorers out of central London but a workshop still remains hidden away in Mayfair

According to a recent Financial Times article, “burr wood furniture has its groove back”. Burr wood furniture has hardly been out of fashion – used in 16th century onwards in fine furniture it had a resurgence at least twice in the 20th century. But dealers note it is having its time in the sun again.

Are you a ‘big light’ fan or foe? According to various social media posts and newspaper articles last year, there is a move away from the ‘big light’ (in part due to Tik Tok influencers decreeing so) to lamps.

There have been various trends around decorative textiles recently, including a move to curtains from blinds, as well as a desire for wall hangings, rugs and bed covers – any soft furnishing fabric to brighten up the home.

In the world of kitchenalia, jelly moulds are in demand.

Are influencers driving this market or is it just hype? We talk to dealers to find out what is really in demand and why.

Beneath the simple ‘1950s dress watch’ styling, the Jaeger LeCoultre Geophysic hides a lot of post-war tech.

Introduced in 1960, the Bulova Accutron 214 was one of the electronic trailblazers.

Watches with provenance will naturally command a premium.

Brand names are everything in watch collecting.

The wristwatch, which began to replace the pocket watch in the First World War, really came into its own with the production of bespoke ‘tool’ watches for submariners and airmen later in the century

Among the most eagerly contested lots at a west London saleroom was a Georg Jensen silver bangle from the Lamellae collection designed by the architect-turned-designer Zaha Hadid.

At the peak of his fame, the Anglo-Italian jewellery designer Andrew Grima was invited by Omega to create what would become the About Time collection.

Legend has it that Charles Arpels (of Van Cleef & Arpels fame) saw a lady friend stashing her lipstick and other cosmetics in an ordinary cigarette tin for a trip out on the town.