UK

Optimism permeated the UK’s regional auction market across much of the last year.

A renewed appeal for information has been made after part of a medieval burial stone was stolen in Herefordshire as thieves targeting church monuments seem to have become active again.

In the islands of the Pacific, where hardwood trees were abundant and iron virtually non-existent until the 19th century, the fighting club was elevated to an art form – made in a wider variety of forms and with more lavish decoration than any other weapon.

Cameras and photographic equipment are among the fastest growing categories for Newbury saleroom Special Auction Services.

Top price of the day at Peter Francis’ recent sale in Carmarthen was provided by this 4½in (11cm) Swansea creamware tea caddy made in the early years of the Cambrian Pottery.

Dorchester auctioneers Duke’s have unveiled plans for a new saleroom in the heart of the county town.

The annual Christmas Present sale held by George Kidner at their saleroom in Lymington included this French Art Deco ruby and diamond-set brooch or jabot pin.

The usually private world of corporate art collections from around the world will be opened up for the first time thanks to a new book which has taken five years to compile.

Having tempted buyers with one-off auctions called The London Sale in September 2012 and Out of the Ordinary in September 2013, Christie’s will continue to use this sale format to offer a tasty selection on January 16.

Rye Auction Galleries, the East Sussex saleroom based in Rock Channel, Rye, have closed down.

Masterpiece London have announced a principal sponsor, RBC Wealth Management, for this year’s fair from June 26 to July 2 at The Royal Hospital Chelsea.

Bonhams are to hold golf memorabilia sales in Scotland starting in June.

The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford has been given an important private collection of modern and contemporary Chinese art.

Amy Cappellazzo will leave Christie’s after the London auctions in February to pursue her career outside the company.

Although missed at the cataloguing stage, this 13½in (35cm) Vincennes dish established a new house record for Wellers of Guildford when it sold at £70,000.

Bradford Council have come under pressure to auction some of their artworks amid sharp budget cuts.

A Victorian diamond rivière necklace sold to an anonymous bidder for £190,000 at Duke’s of Dorchester earlier this month.

Wilkinson’s of Doncaster sold 230 pieces of 16th century metalwork from the so-called Pewter Wreck.

There was a new record for a work on paper by Christopher Richard Wynne Nevinson (1889-1946) at Bloomsbury on December 11.

When Gloucestershire auctioneers Chorley’s were asked to sell this early Victorian dolls’ house, the consignment came with a caveat.