Auctioneers

The practice of presenting gold and enamel swords and freedom boxes, already popular in England in the 18th century, became more widespread during the Napoleonic Wars.

Olympia Auctions (25% buyer’s premium) reported some significant overseas interest at its latest Fine Paintings, Works on Paper & Sculpture auction with almost a third of buyers from outside the UK.

International collectors invested considerable sums in the Expressionist paintings on offer at German sales over the last few weeks.

It is 20 years ago that the auction record for Clarice Cliff was sent tumbling when an 18in (46cm) May Avenue charger sold for £34,000 at Christie’s South Kensington on May 14, 2003. Those were heady days indeed.

Art Deco had a profound influence on all categories – not just art, sculpture or luxury furnishings but also on the design of more utilitarian items.

Last month Sotheby’s announced it would be using the Dutch auction format – whereby the price starts high and is reduced until a buyer is found – for some sales of digital art, sparking a flurry of online media coverage. Its new Gen Art Program will start with an auction on July 26.

The latest Old Master auctions in London posted the highest total for a series in this category in the capital since 2017.

Although the mid-week sales at US auction house Stair Galleries typically focus on affordable property, there are some exceptions.

An amazing penknife proved a cut above in a sale from the David Hayden-Wright collection of antique knives offered at west London saleroom Olympia Auctions.

A new auction record for netsuke – over three times the previous high – has been set in France.

The flagship London summer sales were the first to take place since the major auction houses all raised their buyer’s premiums in the first half of 2023.

The Harrison semi-automatic pedestal knitting machine was designed c.1900 for producing rib socks.

Family group at auction offered works by several generations including the renowned John Sell Cotman

Auctions held in Australia and Germany rack up strong prices for major European makers

The HMV 900 was one of first television receivers designed by the Marconi-EMI Television Company, the firm that also provided the technology for Britain’s first television service.

Furniture attributable to Gillows demonstrates demand for desirable pieces

Classic examples of distinctive porcelain take four-figure sums in Gloucestershire