Two pieces of Moorcroft Pomegranate pattern made exceptional sums within a matter of 24 hours at the end of September. Both were early versions of the popular pattern and dated 1912 – the year William Moorcroft left his studio at James Macintyre to run his own factory in Cobridge.

Estimated at £20,000- 30,000, a façon de Venise gilded, enamel led and engraved vase and cover sold for £70,000 (plus 27.5/25% buyer’s premium) last week.

The invention of the gauger’s slide rule in the 1680s is generally credited to one Thomas Everard of Southampton.

Numismatic consultant Daniel Fearon has brokered the sale of a cast-bronze medal by the Victorian sculptor Alfred Stevens (1817-75) to the British Museum.

This 19th century Indian knife with a shaped and carved horn handle comes in its original morocco case.

Our weekly selection from salerooms.

An 18th century Beijing-enamel wine pot and cover described as the ‘ultimate lockdown find’ has sold for £390,000 at auction in Derbyshire.

A newly-discovered work by François Desportes (1661- 1743) sold for a sensational €1.65m (£1.5m) at auction in Bordeaux.

The highlight of last week’s Asian art series in New York was this remarkable 14in (35cm) high Warring States period (475-221BC) bronze sacrificial wine vessel or 'fang hu'.

Edward Bawden (1903-89) was one of a number of artists invited to submit designs ahead of Britain’s changeover to decimal coinage. Designs were invited for six coins: the 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p and 50p pieces.

The term ‘works on paper’ encompasses a diverse range of media from the drawings that offer a glimpse into an artist’s creative process to prints, posters, ephemera and documents. Pictured here is a section of items available to buy from dealers or bid for at auction.

A selection of nine upcoming lots from auctions taking place around the UK and Ireland.

Just occasionally it doesn’t always pay to catalogue with great depth.