Bath

The final day of Gardiner Houlgate’s latest guitar auction included a remarkable Victorian-era instrument: a rosewood and mother of pearl inlaid harp-guitar or ‘guitarpa’.

Annual fair held at the city’s Assembly Rooms since 1986 starts afresh in Pavilion venue this July

For its 35th edition the Bath Decorative Antiques Fair can boast 11 new exhibitors.

Gardiner Houlgate in Corsham, near Bath, is selling a collection of turret clocks as part of its horology auction on October 26-27. All are from one source and fully restored.

East Bristol Auctions is expanding with a new saleroom near Bath and plans to rebrand as Auctioneum.

The sale at Ma San in Bath on May 4 includes this Japanese double gourd carp vase by Makuzu Kozan (1842-1916).

Trade day at the decorative fair is particularly welcomed by dealers when times are more challenging

A newcomer to the Bath Decorative Antiques Fair will bring a chest of drawers in a distinct painted style as part of their debut offering.

Held at the Bath & West Showground in Somerset for many years, the annual Festival of Cards has moved to a smaller location nearby.

The Makuzu Kozan workshop was established by Miyagawa Kozan (1842- 1916) in Yokohama, one of the main portals of trade with the West, in 1871.

The cylindrical brush pot or bitong appears to have been introduced into the repertoire of Chinese ceramic forms in the late 1620s.

Organiser of Wembley and Cheltenham events takes over.

A small portrait of a woman that was pitched at £100-150 drew a bidding battle that carried it over 10 times estimate.

A recent sale at Aldridges of Bath (20% buyer’s premium) included a fine George IV period mahogany extending dining table.

This early 17th century harpsichord is inscribed to the name baton for Andreas Ruckers, Antwerp, 1614.

Mary Hossack Decorative Antiques was among the many exhibitors enjoying a successful trade day at the recent Bath Decorative Antiques Fair, selling a 20th birdcage modelled on the Sacré Coeur for £1300 among many other items.

At a mid or high-end art and antiques fair buyers can comfortably get round all the stands in a day and have time to browse, consider and discuss with expert dealers. Such events have a more relaxed and social vibe to them: dealers invite their clients along and hope to meet new buyers by attracting them onto their stands with eye-catching items and displays.