Auctions

Sailing way above expectations at Sarasota Estate Auctions in Florida was a diminutive English watercolour depicting the deck of a Royal Navy ship.

Spotlight on a selection of auction lots made using unusual or exotic materials

This 19th century carved Siena marble inkstand is fashioned in the form of an ancient Roman sarcophagus.

The original working lyrics for 'Heartbreak Hotel' carry an estimate of $200,000-220,000 at GWS Auctions’ sale titled Artifacts of Hollywood & Music in Agoura Hills, California, on August 26.

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.

Defeated Confederate general gave out uniform items as gifts until the government cracked down

A pair of mahogany framed sofas, one shown here, caught the eye when they featured in Greenslade Taylor Hunt’s (19.5% buyer’s premium) auction on August 3.

This handwritten volume bound in maroon calf boards with brass clasp is titled inside The Minute Book of The Auld Lang Syne Sketching Club.

A recent Devin Moisan (25% buyer’s premium) sale was topped by a 1974 Chinese snuff bottle decorated by Wang-Hsi (Xisan).

Trial run for a full worked-up version counts as a highly sought-after picture in its own right

An Australian bidder secured this early 19th century 2ft 4in (71cm) Bardin terrestrial library globe at Copake Auction’s (25% buyer’s premium) recent estate sale in upstate New York.

Not to be confused with the modern limited edition toby jugs of the same name, the Royal Doulton figure Spook is among the most desirable models in all the HN series.

A superior tea caddy proved to be the toast of a Bonhams’ (28/27/21/14.5% buyer’s premium) sale of fine decorative arts in London.

'Theatre d’Agriculture et Mesnages des Champs' issued in 1600 is the first major work on French agronomy.

This unframed 8 x 11in (20½ x 28cm) oil sketch of the Swiss village of Dardagny is signed for Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot (1796-1875).

This 18th century Sèvres soft-paste porcelain ice pail (seau à glace) carries the date letter 'O' for 1767 and a tiny painter’s mark of an anchor for Charles Buteux Sr (1719-82).

When it comes to historic views of England’s university cities, bidders’ interest is not only determined by the usual factors such as the calibre of the artist and the picture’s condition.

Refugees in Chelsea was written by Henry James (1843-1916) to help the local Chelsea Committee to raise funds in the US to start an industry for crippled Belgian soldiers.

Our selection of lots from seven upcoming auctions