Auctioneers

Ceramic phrenology heads have become ubiquitous following numerous reproductions. However, original 19th century models are much harder to come by.

Andrew Morris spent over 30 years putting together a collection focusing on the Worcester porcelain of the Kerr and Binns and Royal Worcester periods and Leonard Joel (25% buyer’s premium) offered it at auction in Melbourne, Australia, over two days on March 25-26.

Twenty-six lots in the Science, Natural History and Curiosities sale at Burstow & Hewett (20% buyer’s premium) in Battle were previously owned by local botanist and entomologist George West.

The invention of the megalethoscope by the Swiss-Italian optician and photographer Carlo Ponti greatly enhanced the experience of viewing photographs.

A monumental painting of an Old Testament subject, which came to auction in a gloomy state, drew a remarkable bidding battle at a West Sussex sale.

The personal art collection of film director and intellectual Pierre Rouve (1915-98), kept in his Chelsea house until he died, will be offered at auction.

Embroidered samplers can appeal to buyers for all kinds of different reasons.

The distinctive Anglo-Japanese tables designed by the architect GW Godwin in the later part of the 19th century are known as Smallhythe tables, after the example found in Smallhythe Place in Kent which was the home of the actress Ellen Terry.

Correct in detail, material and quality of construction, down to brass hardware, stencilled cloth and monogrammed leather trim’, a miniature Louis Vuitton trunk sold for $7500 (£5900) at Thomaston Place Auction Galleries (20% buyer’s premium).

On February 27 the world’s oldest auction house celebrated 350 years in business.

Country house contents, global interest and a packed room of bidders - what more could an auctioneer wish for?

Watercolour of a sleeping feline – possibly her favourite cat – takes £19,000 in Cambridge saleroom

The familiar heart symbol - that today is ‘read’ as love - made its first appearance as a rebus in the late Medieval era.

A strong provenance is always desirable on the secondary market, but it is essential when it comes to selling works by LS Lowry (1887-1976) - arguably Britain’s most faked artist.

A collection of vintage comics has sold at auction in Lichfield for a total hammer price of £13,150.