Latest News Articles by Anne Crane

Antiquities lots turn heads in salerooms
25 September 2023This carved marble portrait head of a youth shown here is Roman and comes from a tightly dated period of the 2nd century.

Presentation sword cuts through complaints of bad conduct
25 September 2023John Eamer was a wholesale grocer who dealt in sugar imported from the West Indies. His success led to him becoming Sheriff of London in 1794.

Pick of the week: Sceptre recalls story of a tragic emperor
18 September 2023This intricate gold filigree and gemset sceptre was presented to Charlotte, Empress of Mexico, by the Mexican city of San Juan del Rio.

Fragonard makes a sacrificial offering
18 September 2023An oil on canvas by Jean-Honoré Fragonard (1732-1806) estimated at €4m-6m is billed as a highlight of the sale of Old Master and 19th century art to be held by Artcurial in Paris in November.

Still-lifes and landscapes reflect the Dutch Golden Age
18 September 2023Golden Age Dutch works in the form of still-lifes and landscapes will be on offer at Koller in Zurich in an auction of Old Masters on September 22.

Battle for lowly-estimated Empire period Sèvres plates
11 September 2023A group of nine Empire period Sèvres porcelain plates were the object of keen interest when they came up for sale at Lockdales in Ipswich on August 31.

Summer series of Riviera sales sees Zrzavy works shine in Cannes
11 September 2023Paintings by the prominent 20th century Czech artist Jan Zrzavy (1890-1977) were among the highlights during a recent sales series in the French Riviera.

Small cabinet full of decorative appeal
11 September 2023A highly decorative example of Japanese lacquer provided one of the highlights of Tennants’ (24/20% buyer’s premium) July 15 summer sale.

Hiroshige hauled out of a cupboard
11 September 2023Discovered in a cupboard in a house in the Cévennes wrapped in newspaper dated 1937 were two albums containing a series of Japanese prints by Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858), one of the most sought-after Japanese woodblock print artists.

Charles II casket could do with a bit of love
11 September 2023Lawrences’ (30% buyer’s premium) summer sales series in Crewkerne included a Charles II period stumpwork casket.

Capron creates tile-topped table
11 September 2023Tajan is holding a sale of Modern and Contemporary Ceramics in Paris on September 19 timed to be on view during Paris Design Week which runs from September 7-16.

Gustave Alaux has a ball in Saint-Domingue
11 September 2023Gustave Alaux (1887-1965) was a French marine artist with a particular interest in historical naval scenes and vessels, often depicted in exotic settings such as the French colonies. He was appointed official painter to the navy in 1926.

Silver groups ride into salerooms
04 September 2023Three equestrian silver groups made by different London firms over the space of a century took centre stage in three separate sales in July.

Carry off a smaller clock by maker of Big Ben fame
04 September 2023Dent and Co is one of the bestknown names in English horology with a long history of precision clock and watch making.

William and Mary portraits drive delftware demand
28 August 2023Dated and inscribed and royal portrait subjects are the most desirable classes of early delftware

May the good ship Woolford have a safe journey
28 August 2023An English covered goblet made in 1820 to commemorate the first voyage of the ship Woodford is on offer at Bishop & Miller in Glandford, Norfolk

Parcours prepares for action once again
28 August 2023The Parcours de la Céramique et des Arts du Feu is an annual gallery-based event in Paris focusing on a broad range of ceramics and glass, both antique and modern, from Europe and Asia

Salisbury sale includes pieces from the Jonathan Horne collection
28 August 2023The glass and ceramics sales held by Woolley & Wallis usually include several designated single-owner collections and properties and the September 19 auction is no exception

Young dealers given chance to shine at the Parcours des Mondes
28 August 2023Latest edition of the tribal art event in Paris now includes a special showcase for six new faces

Sale underlines stateside popularity of Wedgwood
28 August 2023Wedgwood has long been such a popular collecting strand in the US that it is no surprise to see quantities reappear on the market at auction, either as mixed-owner consignments or single-owner collections