Features

Creative examples featured in recent UK auctions show the influence of religion and culture on the Manchu rulers of the Qing

A large reticulated ‘dragon and phoenix’ censer came for sale at Mallams’ (25% buyer’s premium) in Cheltenham from a Herefordshire vendor whose family had lived in Shanghai in the 1930s.

The Komai family of sword makers and armourers were among the many Japanese metalworkers courting a new clientele during the Meiji period (1868-1912).

Vietnamese buyers have sent the best works of art from the Le (1428-1789) and Nguyen (1802-1945) dynasties to unchartered territory in recent years.

The Rokujuyoshu Meisho Zue (Famous Views of the Sixty-odd Provinces) series was the last great landscape work created by Japanese ukiyo-e artist Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858).

Neolithic jade congs – the inspiration for many pieces of Qing and later porcelain – are probably some of the most intriguing objects from ancient Chinese culture.

Female artist at centre of early British Surrealism scene now fetches sizeable sums

Anna Zinkeisen (1901-76), who painted 'The Boxing Match' depicting a bout from 1928, enjoyed publicity from the painting at the time.

One of the most eyecatching consignments of Modern British art outside London was a private collection of 14 paintings by David Bomberg (1890-1957).

In its stable of women artists Modern British art specialist Osborne Samuel features Sybil Andrews (1898-1992).

A small and recently discovered painting by Peter Lanyon (1918-64) emerged at Kinghams’ (23% buyer’s premium).

Works by Surrealist artist Ithell Colquhoun (1906-88) have been rising in popularity.

Dealer Karen Taylor is among those noting that “collectors seem to be following the trend set by museums and buying more work by women”.

The soaring demand for sport memorabilia is evident from the result for the shirt of a player who did not even make it on to the pitch for a famous game.

A group of 24 works from the collection of Wilfred and Jeannette Cass provided a boost to Bellmans’ (22% buyer’s premium) latest Modern British and 20th Century Art auction.

A hat-trick of six-figure prices was achieved for England 1966 World Cup hero Alan Ball’s (1945-2007) winner’s medal, cup final shirt and World Cup cap.

William Nicholson (1872-1949) is known today for restrained and sensitively handled still-lifes but in his day he found more success with his portraits.

The Higgs Deliverer ‘rake iron’ club was an attempt to solve a tricky golf problem: how to hit the ball out of sand, high grass or similar terrain.

The Panini company, founded by two brothers in Modena in 1961, began life producing football cards of Serie A teams.

An abstract painting by Bryan Wynter (1915-75) was discovered a stone’s throw from Knightsbridge auction house Kings Russell (28% buyer’s premium).