Auctions

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

A recent Brunk’s (23% buyer’s premium) auction in Asheville, North Carolina, included a group of six small oil-on-copper mythological scenes by Neapolitan painter Luca Giordano (1634-1705).

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

Snappy the Happy Bubble Blowing Dragon is a scarce battery-operated toy made by Marx in Japan in the 1960s.

Our regular listing of UK and Irish books and works on paper auctions

Alfred Hitchcock (1899-1980) took great delight in making cameo appearances in the films he produced and directed.

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.

This Herter Bros inlaid rosewood and upholstered slipper chair was part of a suite made for the Vanderbilt family c.1881-82.

Ben Nicholson’s series of monochromatic three-dimensional relief paintings - created by the thick layers of white paint and carving wood - were first produced in the mid-to-late 1930s.

This 18ct gold pocket watch by Charles Frodsham with accompanying chain (offered separately) was presented by Sir Victor Horsley (1857-1916) to the man he credited for saving his son’s life.

Castings on Charles I era lantern clock suggests the work of William Bowyer

This 8in (19cm) high vase may belong to a select group of Ming cloisonné enamel vases dating to the Xuande period (1426-35).

Mid-century works by the French Modernist architects and interior designers Jacques Adnet (1900-84) and Jacques Quinet (1918-92) were in strong demand at Los Angeles Modern Auctions (31/25% buyer’s premium).

A Rolex used by Spanish sailor and scientist Vital Alsar Ramirez (1933-2020) during his Amazon and Atlantic expeditions in 1977 sold for £10,000 at Halls (24% buyer’s premium).

“Our selection of Charley’s War artwork continues to attract new winning bidders”, says Malcolm Phillips.

Our selection of lots from 10 upcoming auctions

A sale titled Vintage for Valentines at Augusta Auctions (25% buyer’s premium) in Bellows Falls, Vermont, was topped by an extraordinary printed chiffon outfit by the Parisian fashion house Worth.

Two watercolours in the manner of John Singer Sargent sailed above hopes when offered by Amelia Jeffers (20% buyer’s premium) in Delaware, Ohio on March 7.

This parcel gilt silver cased cheval clock by Thomas Cole (1800-64) is hallmarked for London 1850 and the maker John Samuel Hunt of Hunt & Roskell.