Auctioneers

A lot catalogued simply as a ’French gilt bronze figure of Madonna and Child’ proved the highlight of the Furniture, Art & Asian auction at Clars (28% buyer’s premium) in Oakland, California, on May 17.

The most desirable element of a collection of 18th century white-glazed porcelain figures offered by Reeman Dansie (22.5% buyer’s premium) in Colchester was the Meissen group known as Two Freemasons.

Sotheby’s, Christie’s and Bonhams are all undertaking rounds of redundancies.

Strong bidding emerged at Lawrences (25% buyer’s premium) of Crewkerne for a Swedish portrait of Ellen Wester (1873-1930), a pioneering female translator and journalist.

Result of select offering in London shows a healthy market which now even includes Asian bidders

A row over the attribution of a ‘Ben Nicholson’ mural painting that appeared on the BBC’s 'Fake or Fortune?' led to the work being withdrawn at the last minute from an auction in Penzance.

What is the key combination for a successful valuation day? The right location, venue, welcoming atmosphere, format, frequency and recognisable hosts can all come into play, as the experts themselves tell ATG

Count Manfredi Della Gherardesca 's collection offers old and new mix of more than 400 varied lots

Recognised as the ‘Father of Geology’, in 1815 William Smith was the first to map the geology of England and Wales, with part of southern Scotland.

Stephen Switzer (1682-1745), gardener, author, landscape designer and seedsman, was apprenticed in 1699 to George London, the senior partner of Brompton Park Nurseries.

Recently found in Italy, a previously unrecorded portrait of Benjamin Franklin sold at Freeman’s Hindman (27/21/15% buyer's premium) in Philadelphia for $30,000 (£24,000).

Seventeenth century guide to growing vines in England was published just before the Great Fire of London