Auctions

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


‘Mills bomb’ lighter

Pick of the week: The lighter side of mass destruction as novelty grenade lights up auction

27 February 2023

While they may not appear such comfortable bedfellows today, the novel weapons of mass destruction created during the First World War were deemed a perfectly suitable subject for novelty trinkets of the day.

Tiger comic

Comic where Roy of the Rovers makes his debut comes to auction

27 February 2023

For many British schoolchildren Roy of the Rovers was just as famous as any of the real-life footballers of the day.

img_34-3.jpg

An Edward Burne-Jones stained glass window by Morris & Co is among five lots to watch

27 February 2023

With estimates from £300, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week.

img_14-1.jpg

Jaeger LeCoultre: ‘The best watchmaker in the world’ says specialist

27 February 2023

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again,” comments Fellows’ watch specialist Kes Crockett. “Jaeger LeCoultre is the best watchmaker in the world. Rolex is without question the most well-known manufacturer and Patek Philippe has produced some of the most collectable watches on the market. However, JLC arguably has a richer and more important horological history than both.”

Audemars Piguet watch

Bid Barometer: issue 2582

27 February 2023

ATG’s pick of auction lots bought by internet bidders on thesaleroom.com, featuring both the highest prices over-estimate and the top prices paid online.

img_24-3.jpg

Napoleon document recognises exceptional bravery

27 February 2023

There is some discolouring and it appears to have spent some considerable time folded up, but this early 19th century vellum document signed “Bonaparte” as Premier Consul was sold for £3000.

British and Irish book auctions: February 28-March 13, 2023

27 February 2023

Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions.

img_13-7.jpg

Navigate your way round Breitling Navitimer dial styles

27 February 2023

Over the years, the Navitimer has undergone a variety of cosmetic and mechanical changes. Pictured here are three iterations of the watch as it evolved across two decades.

img_16-1.jpg

Specialists have to vie for vendors in a competitive Old Masters market

27 February 2023

Hefty estimates and guarantees suggest a fierce competition in the market when seeking consignments

img_20-1.jpg

Angelica Kauffman counted royalty among her patrons

27 February 2023

Angelica Kauffman (1741-1807) was one of the most recognised artists of her day with her reputation spreading across Italy, France, Poland and Russia.

img_43-5.jpg

Gallé and Daum feature in collector Blessing's mixed French and American sale

27 February 2023

Art glass will be one notable feature of the second instalment of the sale of items from the estate of Ron Blessing of Nebraska on March 18.

img_24-1.jpg

Time and place for Hemingway

27 February 2023

Inscription signalled one of American literature’s most significant editorial relationships

img_39-3.jpg

Auction marks end of an era for textiles dealer Peta Smyth

27 February 2023

Peta Smyth has been dealing in antique textiles since 1976 and her shop at 42 Moreton Street in Pimlico, west London, is renowned for its extensive array of fine textiles, attracting a loyal and diverse clientele of interior designers, antiques dealers and collectors.

img_28-2.jpg

Previews: issue 2582

27 February 2023

A selection of 11 upcoming lots available at UK and Irish auctions.

img_22-1.jpg

Storck naval scene rises to a £52,000 result

27 February 2023

A strong contest for a Dutch naval scene was generated at Dorset saleroom thanks in part to the picture bearing the signature 'A. Storck'.

img_14-2.jpg

Deep pockets for the Fifty Fathoms

27 February 2023

The Fifty Fathoms watch was born in the 1950s from the encounter between the Swiss firm Blancpain (by then using the legal trading name Rayville) and two French naval officers, Capt Robert Maloubier and Lt Claude Riffaud.

img_18-1.jpg

Christie’s opens new year in New York with full series of Old Masters auctions

27 February 2023

The fact that Christie’s held a full series of Old Masters auctions in New York at the start of 2023 not only boosted the overall total for the January series but also added to the amount of activity in this sector generally at this key time.

img_21-1.jpg

Hogarth among big names at Cheffins

27 February 2023

A tiny head study of a lady and her son by William Hogarth (1697-1764) is among the lots on offer at Cheffins’ fine art sale in Cambridge on March 22-23.

img_25-1.jpg

War hospital mag reflected mental and physical scars

27 February 2023

Dating from November 1917, a copy of 'Hydra, the Magazine of Craiglockhart War Hospital of Edinburgh' was sold for a notably higher than expected £7500.

img_43-1.jpg

Unoccupied house found to be full of French art glass joys

27 February 2023

A cache of art glass rediscovered during the contents removal of a house that had been unoccupied for several years came up for auction.

News

Categories