Auctions

News and previews of art and antiques sold at auctions throughout the UK and overseas, from multi-million-pound blockbusters to affordable collectables.


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Pick of the Week: Talismanic shirts lead to saleroom good fortune

30 April 2018

Two finely executed Indian talismanic shirts made multi-estimate sums at Roseberys in south London.

Iain M Smith Auctioneers & Valuers

First auction after fire for Iain M. Smith in Perth

30 April 2018

Scottish auction house Iain M. Smith has announced the date of its first sale since a fire destroyed the saleroom’s premises at Perth Aerodrome in Scone.

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Oriental lots across the UK give bidders plenty to chew on

30 April 2018

The feast from the east that that has put bread (and some Michelin-starred meals) on the table of dealers and auctioneers for more than a decade continues to do so at sales from Scotland to Surrey.

Lawes of ecclesiastical policy

Beautiful bindings at South Cerney auction

30 April 2018

A volume containing Richard Hooker’s sixth and eighth books dealing with The Lawes of Ecclesiastical Policy… is a 1651 re-issue of an edition first published three years earlier. The principal attraction, however, was the armorial binding.

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French auctioneers’ showcase kicks off this month

30 April 2018

The last weekend of the month, May 25-27, is given over to the latest staging of the Journées Marteau (Art Auctioneers Days) held by the French auctioneers’ association SYMEV.

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Chinese porcelain has pride of place in Leyburn

30 April 2018

Chinese porcelain resumed its traditional dominance among the Oriental offerings at Tennants (20% buyer’s premium) in Leyburn.

Golf book

First golf book tees off in the US

30 April 2018

Published in 1895, Wright & Dixon’s Guide to American Golf… was one of the very first books on the game to appear in that country. A copy sold on April 12 in San Francisco for $42,500 (£29,930) was billed as “perhaps the only copy extant”.

Greek horse's head

Ancient Greek horse’s head rears up at Monaco auction

30 April 2018

Survivals of ancient classical sculpture carved from ivory are incredibly rare, so the appearance on the market of this naturalistically carved ancient Greek horse’s head is a notable occasion.

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Buyer nets Kangxi vase

30 April 2018

A 10in (25cm) tall Kangxi period (1654-1722) rouleau vase painted with fishermen and cranes took a six-times estimate £2800 at the 1200-lot Spring Sale at Hansons (20% buyer’s premium) on March 22-26.

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Artist who invited a horse to tea

30 April 2018

Works by the flamboyant Lord Berners come to auction from Faringdon House contents sale.

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World away from Lowry matchsticks

30 April 2018

Early works painted before an artist has adopted their signature style can make for intriguing viewing – especially if that artist is widely known.

Album

Russian album is crowning glory at US auction

30 April 2018

Printed for circulation only among members of the imperial family and those foreign dignitaries who had participated in the celebrations, an album recording the 1883 coronation in Moscow of Tsar Alexander III and the Empress Marie Feodorovna sold for $30,000 (£21,125) in a US sale.

Poster

Rare London Underground poster designed by Man Ray to be auctioned in New York

30 April 2018

A classic, rare 1938 poster for the London Underground designed by the Surrealist artist Man Ray is one of the highlights of a graphic design sale to be held by Swann Galleries on May 3.

Book

Complete 17th century work is a great rarity of Judaica

30 April 2018

Bound in recent times as six volumes in elaborately gilt crushed scarlet morocco, a 1614-17 Prague first of a major commentary on the Mishnah by Rabbi Yom Tov Lipmann Heller (1579-1654), was a highlight of a recent New York sale of Judaica.

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Decorative arts in focus at auction in Maryland

30 April 2018

Weschlers’ mixed-owner Capital Collections sale in Rockville, Maryland, on May 11 will offer a very wide range of fine and decorative arts.

British and Irish book auctions: May 1-12, 2018

30 April 2018

ATG’s calendar of book auctions taking place in the UK and Ireland from May 1-12, 2018.

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Saleroom selection: Three pictures under £1500 including a Peter Kuhfeld view of Venice

30 April 2018

Three more modestly valued works drawing attention at recent regional sales below £1500 included a Venetian view by English painter Peter Kuhfeld.

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Bid Barometer

30 April 2018

ATG’s selection of auction lots bought by internet bidders on thesaleroom.com from the period April 19-25, 2018. This includes both the highest prices over estimate and the top prices paid online.

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Eastern furniture stars at Brightwells

30 April 2018

Huanghuali furniture in the form of a late Ming/ early Qing ping tou-an (recessed legs table) starred in the Oriental section of Brightwells’ (17.5% buyer’s premium) sale in Leominster.

Portrait

Previews: £30,000 plus

30 April 2018

Several decades ago, when China was shut to the Western world, encounters with foreigners were understandably rare.

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