Auctioneers

Calculations and notes predicting the orbit of what at the time was a newly discovered and very large asteroid, Juno, brought a bid of £7000 at Bonhams (25/20/12% buyer’s premium) on March 1.

MADAM – Constance King’s reminiscences of Christie’s South Ken (ATG No 2285) mention the difficulties of parking outside to load one’s purchases.

Included in the April 10 sale of Old Masters, antique furniture, ceramics and works of art that is part of Babuino’s sale series in Rome this month is this small painting by the early 17th century Flemish artist Roelant Savery.

It may have been under 2in (5cm) high, but a tiny ink drawing by Aubrey Beardsley sold for a sizeable $10,000 (£8000) in a sale of Illustration Art held by Swann (25/20/12% buyer’s premium) in New York on March 21.

ATG’s weekly selection of items on sale at auctions and dealerships.

Contemporary African art is currently much in vogue in the French capital.

Filling much of a full-page advertisement in ATG No 2284 for the Pierre Bergé/Sotheby’s (24/20.5/17% buyer’s premium) sale in Paris on April 26 of books and manuscripts from the library of Jean A Bonna was the star turn – a stunning copy of Galileo’s Discorsi et Dimostrazioni matematiche of 1638.

Shown here is one of 25 coloured litho plates that illustrate Sir Charles Doyly’s Views of Calcutta and its Environs, a large folio work published in 1848.

The Flemish Baroque painter Jacob Jordaens (1593-1678) studied the works, and particularly the mythological scenes, of the Italian masters.

Making its third saleroom appearance in 30-odd years, the portrait in oils of Isaac Newton shown here is one of at least a dozen made in his lifetime.

Enforcing its Scottish significance, a Renaissance gold pendant known as the Fettercairn Jewel has been bought by the National Museums Scotland.

Exceptional items star as Bonhams’ oak sales face the challenge of reduced space and lots

A painting from the early career of French artist Auguste Herbin (1882-1960) appeared on the market for the first time in nearly a century at Gildings’ Market Harborough salerooms on March 28.

Through surviving examples of Charles II beadwork, it is possible to catch a glimpse of the splendid colours of Stuart England.

Salisbury is latest auction house finding a sense of optimism despite some patchy areas

Among the most eagerly contested sections of the Bonhams sale was the 22 lots from the Golding Barrett Collection.

A good mix of traditional and modern pictures drew decent bidding at Mallams’ (20% buyer’s premium) on March 16.

Inspired by an exhibition marking the 400th anniversary of Raphael’s birth in 1883, Alexander III (1845-94) commissioned a porcelain dinner service for use in the Catherine Palace of Tsarskoe Selo, writes Roland Arkell.

Folksy 18th and 19th century vernacular lighting retains a strong following.

Demand for the delicate 20th century dynamic prints of the Grosvenor School has softened since the string of recordbreaking sales and prices taking place several years ago.