UK

A historically significant portrait of Nicholas Sprimont (1716-71) is set to stay in the UK after dealer Errol Manners sold it for the second time in his career – this time to the Victoria and Albert Museum.

The British Antique Dealers’ Association (BADA) has teamed up with interior designer Rita Konig for its annual event BADA Week.

This near-life size 19th century cold painted bronze of the Three Graces sold at the Buxton Antiques Fair last month.

Two volumes of poetry offered in London auction were published by the Marvell Press.

Spotlight on honours sold recently includes courageous lifesavers from civilian backgrounds.

Flight Lieutenant Maurice ‘Mark’ Mounsdon was one of only four remaining members of Sir Winston Churchill’s ‘The Few’ when he died in 2019 aged 101.

Three albums containing in all some 410 wood engravings by Gwen Raverat (1885-1957), compiled by the artist as a personal record of her work and sold by a descendant, made a total of £34,500 at Dominic Winter (20% buyer’s premium) on May 11.

In May 2019 Spink (20% buyer’s premium) medal specialist Marcus Budgen was entrusted to catalogue the medals of Gunner A Howard, ‘N’ Battery, 5th Brigade, Royal Artillery, one of just four members of the RA present at the defence of Rorke’s Drift in the Zulu War.

A selection of Second World War ephemera with a distinctly Polish flavour estimated at £60-100 sold instead for £7600 at a Devon auction.

A private medal collection rated by Ipswich saleroom Lockdales (18% buyer’s premium) as “magnificent” was offered on May 20-22.

Long before Mirandinha, Faustino Asprilla and Nolberto Solano graced the hallowed turf of Newcastle United’s St James’ Park, two brothers paved the way for South American footballers to play professionally in England.

The summer Art & Antiques Fair is now running in Olympia Grand, the largest of the halls.

Prestigious Chelsea fair Masterpiece can even boast an official champagne partner.

Horror and fantasy novelist went from buying comic art to modern European purchases.

Ceramics selection coming up at auction this summer.

Another artist for whom a plentiful supply of works is available is Northern painter Arthur Delaney (1927-87).

A late Victorian oil on canvas depicting steam ships on the Thames at Wapping drew a protracted bidding battle at Ramsay Cornish’s (20% buyer’s premium) recent Homes & Interiors auction in Edinburgh.

A woodcut by German Expressionist Max Pechstein (1881-1955) brought overseas interest to Kinghams (23% buyer’s premium) back on March 3-5.