Latest News Articles by Cecile Shannon
Medals from an Anzac war hero take 30 times top estimate at auction
04 July 2024How the personal story of an Anzac war hero boosted the value of a common group of medals offered at auction to 30 times the top estimate.
Regency Chamberlain Worcester cabinet cups cause a stir at auction
02 July 2024A surprise at a Hampshire saleroom on June 18 came in the form of a fine pair of early 19th century Chamberlain Worcester ‘Regent China’ cabinet cups in the French Empire style.
Rare 18th century Neapolitan crèche figures take off at auction and fly back to Napoli
01 July 2024Arriving in boxes, a quantity of Italian Nativity figures were delivered to Anna Evans, head of sale and specialist at south London saleroom Roseberys, with Christie’s lot labels dated 1982 still attached.
Mystery writer' s musings on meteorites prove a big hit at auction
01 July 2024Hammer falls at 24 times the top estimate as Scandinavian buyer snaps up highly unusual collection
UK sale offers Peale’s presidential depiction
01 July 2024A newly discovered American portrait miniature of George Washington by Charles Willson Peale has been found in the UK. Estimated at £15,000-25,000, it is on offer at Roseberys in the Old Master, British & European Pictures sale on July 9.
Photographer Deakin captured the Soho social whirl
01 July 2024Wirral-born photographer John Deakin (1912-72) is best-known for his uncompromisingly honest portraits of the Soho art scene of the 1950s and 60s.
A family provenance to chew on: collection bought with proceeds of a biscuit empire
01 July 2024Two days needed to disperse items collected over generations thanks to biscuit production success
Newly discovered American portrait miniature of George Washington by Charles Willson Peale comes to a London saleroom
26 June 2024A rare opportunity has come up to bid for a portrait miniature of the first US president, which has been found in the UK.
Two first edition Casino Royales cash in at auction - but condition is key
25 June 2024A 1953 first edition, first impression copy of Ian Fleming’s first James Bond novel Casino Royale in its original dust jacket, bought at a car boot sale for £1, has sold for £10,000 hammer.
Cheeky monkey painting climbs high at auction
24 June 2024Dating back to ancient Egypt and peaking in popularity in western Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries, the ‘singerie’ (French for ‘monkey trick’) is a genre of satirical art depicting fashionably attired monkeys, humorously imitating human behaviour.
Emmet emerges in miniature
24 June 2024The emergence of an English School c.1803 portrait miniature of Robert Emmet at Gorringe’s in Lewes was an exciting development given the scarcity of contemporaneous portraiture featuring Emmet; an Irish Republican and patriot, orator and rebel leader.
Dickens’ gin jug packs punch at auction
24 June 2024The final tranche of items from the Tony Chapman collection of pewter offered at Bishop & Miller of Stowmarket on June 19 included this capacious Victorian lidded jug once owned by Charles Dickens (1812-70).
Fabulous Fabergé menagerie on offer from an unexpected single-owner consignment
24 June 2024Buyers respond well to stand-alone auction of hardstone animal carvings held in London
Whieldon type creamware bird rules the roost at auction
21 June 2024At Gildings of Market Harborough, one little, or rather big bird took flight.
A portrait miniature of Irish revolutionary Robert Emmet rouses bidders at auction
17 June 2024The emergence of a rare portrait miniature of Robert Emmet, dated c.1803, at Gorringe’s in Lewes proved to be an exciting discovery.
Meteorites archive soars over estimate at Carlisle auction
17 June 2024Thomson Roddick Callan of Carlisle held a 270-lot sale of Antiquarian & Collectable Books and Related Items on June 6.
Previews: Lots on the way at this summer's auctions
17 June 2024Our look ahead to some of the many stand-out items on offer at auctions this summer.
Women make their voices heard in early documents
17 June 2024Two early documents featuring female authors are among the highlights in a wide-ranging sale selection
John Deakin photographic archive bid to 15 times estimate
12 June 2024Wirral-born photographer John Deakin (1912-1972) is best-known for his uncompromisingly honest portraits of the Soho art scene of the 1950s and 60s.
Most watched: Victorian centre table attracts interest ahead of auction
11 June 2024An intriguing Victorian centre table, in the manner of Morant & Co, is coming up for auction this week at Lay’s Antiques & Interiors sale.