Bonhams

An Enigma cipher machine made a world-record price last week when it was hammered down for $380,000 (£301,379).

A preparatory sketch by John Constable was knocked down for £720,000 at Bonhams earlier today.

An imposing brass alloy figure of Canda Vajrapani set an auction record for a Tibetan sculpture when it was knocked down at HK$42.5m (£4.34m) at Bonhams Hong Kong.

This French porcelain hot water jug, or ‘pot à eau’ was made at the Vincennes factory in 1754, probably for the Dauphine Maria Josepha. The mother of King Louis XVI, who was guillotined during the French Revolution, she was an important patron of Vincennes.

Specialist sales of antiquities in London kick off at Bonhams later this month with a 192-lot auction in New Bond Street on November 30.

A sketch for one of John Constable celebrated paintings has been rediscovered after more than 70 years and is estimated to take £200,000-300,000 in Bonhams Old Master auction next month.

It is easy to understand the appeal of a Victoria Cross to medal collectors. Likewise, any honours connected with the name ‘Dambusters’ or those awarded to flying ‘aces’ have a high value.

The new Lord Harlech, music video-maker Jasset Ormsby Gore, is offering 400 items at auction from his family estate.

A first edition of ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ reached a world record price of £35,000 at the Bonhams Fine Books and Manuscripts Sale last night.

An ornately decorated Rolls-Royce, which includes Rococo-style panels, a French ormolu clock and Elkington gilt bronze mounts, is one of the starring lots at Bonhams' upcoming Bond Street sale.

Coalport porcelain, like that produced at Derby, is renowned for its quality and decoration, drawing inspiration from work produced at the celebrated Sèvres factory.

Livery cupboards are a pretty rare species in the oak lexicon but what makes the example shown here particularly unusual is its early date combined with the presence of drawers.

Auction house Bonhams are to host an exhibition titled The Colony Room: Masterpieces from Pallant House Gallery, celebrating the fabled London drinking den beloved of artists.

Bonhams have followed Christie’s in increasing their buyer’s fees by adjusting their premium thresholds.

A painting once owned by Sir Harry Veitch, founder of the Chelsea Flower Show, will be offered for sale at Bonhams’ in London later this month.

Not all copies of Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone that bear a tell-tale typo sometimes signifying the first edition, first run of the book are the real deal.

A collection of motoring mascots formed by Robert White, a leading UK camera retailer, will be offered at Bonhams next month. Offered in single-owner sale in London on September 19, the consignments include 37 examples by René Lalique.

The Golden Age of Polar exploration is a constant source of fascination. Essentially, this period is the first three decades of the 20th century, when names such as Shackleton, Scott, Amundsen and Peary came to fame.

A full-scale test model of the satellite Sputnik-1 sold at Bonhams New York yesterday for $220,000 (£167,012), outstripping a $10,000-15,000 estimate.

An early 17th century self-portrait by the English court painter William Dobson (1611-46) was knocked down at £920,000 at Bonhams’ Old Masters sale today.