Auctions

A pair of revolvers presented to American Civil War general and later US president Ulysses S Grant soldfor $4.4m (£3.61m) or $5.17m with premium.

The numerous coronations offer a chance to buy more esoteric objects at auction.

This Georgian enamel and rock crystal mourning ring was formerly owned by Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon.

By repute this 15oz silver chamber stick and snuffer with glass hurricane shade was a gift from Queen Victoria to her personal attendant and favourite John Brown (1826-83).

For 19th century sahibs in tiger country and bwanas dealing with charging lions, howdah pistols like the one offered at West Sussex gun specialist Gavin Gardiner (25% buyer’s premium) were the preferred sidearm.

Copy printed in Boston in 1744 and now offered in Chicago was defective but a real rarity

One of the highlights of Sotheby’s Asian art auction to be held in its Paris room on June 16 will be this jade seal carved with the imperial symbol of a dragon, estimated at €100,000-150,000.

A children’s book estimated at £20-40 in a May 14 sale held by Pippa Deeley (15% buyer’s premium) in Bodiam, East Sussex, was sold instead at £2200.

Throughout the 20th century toy manufacturers produced commemorative models, with the coronation coach a particularly popular subject.

Collections drawn from two of Hubert de Givenchy’s residences are to be sold by Christie’s this month in a series of live and online auctions.

Joseph Edgar Boehm (1834-9) was commissioned to make a statue to mark the golden jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887.

Perhaps the most famous 21st century image of Queen Elizabeth II is the photographic portrait taken by Canadian artist Chris Levine (b.1960) showing the monarch with her eyes closed.

“It is quite pathetic to see the Prince and Freda. His love is so obvious and undisguisable.”

Estimated at £120-150, this modest 7in (17cm) high Chinese export silver golfing trophy sold for £5500 at Bourne End Auction Rooms (17.5% buyer’s premium).

On June 14 in Paris Bonhams will hold the first of four sales from the collection of Claude de Marteau which will be on view during the Printemps Asiatique Paris event.

Among the auction houses showing works at the Pagoda will be Irish firm Adam’s, previewing its two Asian spring sales taking place in Dublin on June 28-29.

Pitched at a modest £300-500, a harlequin set of eight Charles II joined oak back stools was one of a number of successes among the furniture offered at Tennants’ (22% buyer’s premium) Leyburn sale.

Chairs and sofas by Howard & Sons are a pricey niche market these days, largely immune to the varying fortunes of the wider market for Victorian and Edwardian furniture.

Aponem is holding a sale at Drouot on June 15.