Wiltshire

The Long Gallery at Messums West – established as Messums Wiltshire in 2016 by Johnny Messum – originally functioned as an equine stable.

An auctioneer who relocated to the West Country after working at a London saleroom for eight years has launched two antiques fairs.

A rare military issue by The International Watch Company sold well above estimate at Wessex Auction Rooms (19% buyer’s premium) in Chippenham, Wiltshire.

With a rusty blade and seemingly anonymous scabbard, an ornate hilt was the key as to why an Indian tulwar sword estimated at £100-200 instead sold for a huge hammer price of £109,500 (plus 22% buyer’s premium).

When it comes to the portraits of the Swiss artist Firmin Massot (1766- 1849), it tends to be depictions of young female sitters shown either full length of ‘jusqu’aux genoux’ (as far as the knees) – a format he often favoured – that attract the most attention commercially.

The Royal Doulton figure Guy Fawkes designed by Charles Noke was issued as HN98 from 1918.

A tartan deck blanket, a pocket watch and a first-class dinner menu were all top-sellers in the latest auction of Titanic, White Star and Transport Memorabilia at Henry Aldridge & Son (plus 26.4% buyer’s premium).

The sale of Enamel Signs, Automobilia and Advertising at Chippenham Auction Rooms (20% buyer’s premium) on July 29 included a rare pictorial enamel design depicting the Mauretania at full steam advertising Holzapfels Composition.

The Harrison semi-automatic pedestal knitting machine was designed c.1900 for producing rib socks.

This classic example of Venetian vedute was taken to a multi-estimate £34,000 at Gardiner Houlgate (22% buyer’s premium) in Corsham.

Three stately home car boots are on the way in the next few months.

A huge plan used during the British Titanic inquiry was the top lot of Henry Aldridge & Son’s (22% buyer’s premium) latest auction dedicated to Titanic, White Star and Transport memorabilia.

The sale of automobilia at Richard Edmunds Auctions (20% buyer’s premium) in Chippenham on March 25 included a total of 16 different glass pump globes advertising Shell products.

When RMS Queen Mary was launched in 1934 it was not only at the cutting edge of technology but also featured some of the grandest interior designs ever seen aboard an ocean liner.

This 7½in (19cm) high carriage clock in a fanciful gothic revival taste is stamped to the base AF, probably for the renowned Parisian jeweller and goldsmith Alexis Falize (1811-98).