Duke's

This 19th century carved Siena marble inkstand is fashioned in the form of an ancient Roman sarcophagus.

A usually quiet August was dramatically awakened by a series of sleepers that emerged at three UK regional auction houses.

While some of the gloss has been taken off the market, the best pre-revolutionary Russian craftsmanship remains attractive to international collectors.

Nelson memorabilia from a private collection in Devon was keenly fought over at Duke’s Spring auction.

A strong performer in the Anthony du Boulay (1929-2022) sale at Duke’s (25% buyer’s premium) in Dorchester was this 10in (24.5cm) enamelled chinoisierie milchglas vase.

This mid-18th century Maltese walnut and marquetry bureau cabinet was the top lot of the du Boulay Collection at Duke’s.

Anthony du Boulay (1929-2022) was well known as an expert on Chinese ceramics, although his interests were more wide ranging.

Myanmar (Burmese) sapphires, renowned for a deep blue colour, are highly prized for reasons of scarcity, quality and history

Creative examples featured in recent UK auctions show the influence of religion and culture on the Manchu rulers of the Qing

In 1888, in response to a tender issued by the War Office, Prof Archibald Barr and Dr William Stroud submitted an application for an optical range-finder patent to the Patents Office.

Ceramics by Hans Coper (1920-81) and Lucie Rie (1902-95) have been assimilated into the collecting sphere of Modern British art with spectacular effect.

A little-known theatrical portrait painted by Johan Zoffany (1733-1810) towards the end of his career sold for £330,000 at auction in Dorset.

This little-known theatrical portrait was painted in 1796 by Johan Zoffany (1733-1810) towards the end of his career.

The autumn season will bring a number of English Golden Age clocks by top makers to auction.

Bid to £16,000 in a sale held by Duke’s (25% buyer’s premium) of Dorchester was a 1921 first of Agatha Christie’s The Mysterious House at Styles.

A ‘Jolly Roger’ or pirate flag that records the Second World War exploits of a British submarine flew once more in a militaria sale earlier this summer.

The watch market can be obsessed with brand names – and the best names do come with a price tag to match.

Among the 20th century works on paper generating demand at regional sales in the last few months was a Keith Vaughan (1912-77) study of a group of bathers.

A Victorian sapphire, diamond and pearl brooch-pendant was one of two pieces with Indian roots offered for sale at Duke’s (25% buyer’s premium).