Auctions

How much would you spend on an antique or vintage chess set? Here are three examples from different periods that sold across a wide range of prices.

A group of Modern and Impressionist pictures provided a significant boost to the latest Art & Design post 1880 sale held at Duke’s (25% buyer’s premium).

Catalogued simply as an ‘ornate Chinese plaque’ and estimated at $600-800, a Qing lacquer and porcelain panel hammered for a remarkable $440,000 (£359,000) at Regency Auction House in Rockaway, New Jersey.

The Barbie movie might not have been such a hit if it was called Bild-Lilli instead.

An auction record for Harry Becker (1865-1928) was set this autumn.

The grandnephew of Parisian art and antiquities dealer Ernest Brummer (1891-1964) is parting with this second-century AD Roman marble head of a triton at Hindman in Chicago.

The highly imaginative post-war toys made in Japan for the US market are sought-after lots at auction

To say that James Bond memorabilia is hugely collectable is not a statement to cause a huge shock.

Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions

The first American Civil War playset produced by Marx came in 1958 but in 1961 a real blockbuster version appeared: the Giant Blue and Gray Battle Set.

Eminent artist stepped aside once he saw the monumental figure by younger colleague Maillol

Classical Chinese furniture deaccessioned from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts produced some sensational results at a dedicated Asian Art sale held by Brunk Auctions (23% buyer’s premium) in Asheville, North Carolina on October 19.

This Roman marble bust hammered for $47,500 (£39,100) against an estimate of $2000-3000 at Wiederseim Associates (25% buyer’s premium) in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania on October 20.

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.

Like many English joiners of the period, not a great deal is known about the private life of Gerrit Jensen.

Yabu Meizan (1853-1934) is considered the ‘prince’ of the so-called Satsuma medium.

Dispersal of renowned collection launches with the first auctions including Aldine ‘crown jewels’

In the Mid-century market, the devil is in the detail.

An ancient Egyptian sculptural fragment was the most eagerly contested lot in Thomaston Place Auction Galleries’ (20% buyer’s premium) Autumn Majestic sale on November 10-12.

Our selection of lots from 13 upcoming UK and Irish auctions