Auctions

When 'Withnail and I' was released in 1987 it was a British film that seemed destined to disappear into obscurity.

For many decades, Wolfgang Steiner and his wife Gisela have devoted their collecting passion towards verre églomisé, the art of reverse-painting on glass.

Not for first time in recent memory, a work by a female artist made an unexpected amount at auction that left saleroom watchers and probably even the auctioneers themselves struggling to explain the price.

An intriguing painting by Lady Beatrice Glenavy (1881-1970) emerged at auction in an unusual location last month.

Peter Cushing’s (1913-94) six-decade acting career featured more than 100 films furnished many fond memories – and of course provided plenty of memorabilia.

Nineteenth century English clock adorned with Dick Whittington designs leads a look at horological hammer highlights and previews

Our selection of lots from 14 upcoming UK auctions

This Queen Anne period marquetry longcase featured in a sale of furniture, works of art and clocks held by Woolley & Wallis (26/20% buyer’s premium) in Salisbury from October 4-5.

After the establishment of trade with the Turks in the late 17th century, British officials began presenting gifts to Ottoman officials. Clocks were a favourite and the British ingenuity and quality led to a break in the dominance of the French and Swiss in this market.

Country house auction boasted not just on-the-premises appeal but Guinness and Duleep Singh connection

James Clowes (c.1643-1705), who was born in Astbury, Cheshire, became a Free Brother of The Clockmakers Company in 1671 – the same year as Thomas Tompion, Joseph Knibb, Daniel Quare and Joseph Windmills. He worked first in St Giles in the Fields and then at Saint Ann’s Blackfriars.

Hot on the heels of just over 20 lots of 18th century Jacobite drinking glasses offered at Lyon & Turnbull in Edinburgh on August 16 (see ATG No 2607), more of these desirable items appeared at two other salerooms.

Wiener Werkstätte designer died aged just 36 but still produced an extensive range in various materials

Gardiner Houlgate in Corsham, near Bath, is selling a collection of turret clocks as part of its horology auction on October 26-27. All are from one source and fully restored.

The French portrait painter Jean Baptiste van Loo (1684-1745) received numerous commissions from European royal families and aristocrats.

This small-scale 12½in (32cm) high William and Mary period ebony veneered striking bracket clock will be one of the horological entries in the three-day clocks and fine interiors sale at Hutchinson Scott in Skipton, North Yorkshire, from October 17-19.

An unusual, late 19th century figure of a hawk took top honours at Zacke’s (30% buyer’s premium) sale of Asian works of art on September 7-8.

Around 30 Dutch, French and English clocks and barometers feature in the sale of a collection of furniture, silver, ceramics, clocks, and an extensive library belonging to the late Dutch connoisseur-collector Cornelis Paulus van Pauwvliet.

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.