Auctions

Diamond tiaras continue to enjoy a steady revival in demand, particularly in states where a diamond fascinator is once again de rigueur at formal and informal high-society events.

Tennants’ Fine Jewellery, Watches and Silver sale in Leyburn, North Yorkshire, on July 16 numbers 120 lots.

The latest themed sale at Bonhams (27.5/25/20/14.5% buyer’s premium) was an auction titled India in Art, offering a mix of pictures and objects relating to the subcontinent.

A study of a figure wearing a robe and turban drew a fierce bidding battle at Eldreds (25% buyer’s premium) in Plymouth at the end of last month.

A real stand-out success in the Comic Book Auctions (20% buyer’s premium) timed online sale that ended on May 29 was to be found among the large collection of US comics that were offered without reserve – albeit a British issue of the comic bearing a cover price of nine pence.

A string of high prices way over estimates emerged at a recent Asian art sale held by Nagel (24.5% buyer’s premium) in Stuttgart.

Captured on video camera and shared by the auction house on Twitter, this was the fistpumping moment of joy when historian Tom Holland bought a Psittacosaurus skeleton at Woolley & Wallis in Salisbury on June 30.

This late Victorian Garrard & Co pearl and diamond tiara was described by Great Western Auctions in Glasgow as ‘the ultimate in metamorphic jewels’.

On June 23 Bonhams Hong Kong sold a version of Cartier’s first-ever mystery clock: the Model A.

The top-selling lots in the Swaythling collection sold at Christie's were paintings from a diverse range of genres and periods.

A US collector went way over the odds to secure a 15th century southern Indian bronze that took top honours at the Asian art sale at Lempertz (26% buyer’s premium) in Cologne.

Two plates from a Minton dinner service designed by Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin (1812-52) for his personal use appeared for sale in Derbyshire last week.

Boldly going where no production action figure has gone before, a ʻdouble-telescoping’ Luke Skywalker in near mint conditon has sold for close to $100,000.

The number of six-figure bids received reflects the quality of William S Reese collection

Asian art ‘circus’ moves to French capital for dealer shows and auctions in early June

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.