Tennants

With the National Portrait Gallery about to reopen, ATG takes a look at exhibition and auctions on the theme

A musical ‘captain’s desk’ davenport sold for £9500 at Tennants’ (22% buyer’s premium) Scientific and Musical Instruments sale in Leyburn on May 17.

The 1947 Street Scene with Figures by LS Lowry (1887-1976) is the earliest work so far to appear on the market from a group of vibrant figurative pastels.

While probably not made specifically for export, Chinese silver rice wine pots had arrived in Europe as early as the late 17th century.

Objects from Norwich, York, Ireland and Newcastle in recent sales give a snapshot of the market

Simple Salford street scene dating from year after he left art school is now at £70,000 hammer price level

A high price for a Victorian work sold outside London came at Tennants’ (22% buyer’s premium) latest British, European and Sporting Pictures sale.

Tennants’ Fine Jewellery, Watches and Silver sale, held concurrently with the Country House auction on March 18 included a very tactile and much-coveted Fabergé silver table lighter in the form of a walking Indian elephant.

Feather ‘mosaic’ pictures made in Mexico for Christian conquerors are among the most remarkable objects from 16th century Mesoamerica.

The George III silver wine jug sold by Tennants in Leyburn in March is the exact pair to another the auction house offered on behalf of a different vendor two years ago.

Carving once available in low four figures now sells for five in North Yorkshire saleroom

Musical automata were the top hits at Tennants’ (22% buyer’s premium) auction of scientific and musical instruments and cameras.

English history and law were the mainstays of an excellent collection sold in North Yorkshire

Among the best performing lots at the Country House sale at Tennants (22% buyer’s premium) in Leyburn was a fruitwood calendar stick or primstav.

Highlights including signed opera score from a varied auction held in North Yorkshire

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

A hat-trick of six-figure prices was achieved for England 1966 World Cup hero Alan Ball’s (1945-2007) winner’s medal, cup final shirt and World Cup cap.

At Frant there dwells a Man of fame. By trade a Tailor, Smart by name.

The last few months have been an interesting time for followers of John Atkinson Grimshaw (1836-93).

Walter Crane (1845-1915) designed seven red lustre vases for the Shropshire tile makers Maw & Co of Jackfield in 1889.