Auction Reports

A Maori hei-tiki pendant offered in Cheltenham on September 16 had an old paper label verso stating that it originally belonged to Makoare Te Taonui.

This ventriloquist’s dapper dummy was one of the surprise star turns at Halls’ (23% buyer’s premium) Shrewsbury auction.

Including seafaring, tin, copper, studio potteries and fishing, a Penzance sale covered just about everything from the region bar pasties.

A section of wood taken from the tree where Stanley met Livingstone in 1871 sold at Sworders’ September 14-15 Fine Interiors sale for £2400.

It was in the wake of the Great Fire of London in 1666 that the first societies were created to protect against the losses caused by fire.

Although not catalogued as such, this occasional table offered at auction is made to a well-known Aesthetic movement design by EW Godwin.

Irish castle home of earls about to be turned into hotel and spa furnishes a remarkable sale

Edinburgh-made clocks that predate 1700 are rare.

Alec Walker (1889-1964) created Cryséde fabrics as a small experimental silk-printing firm in Newlyn in 1920.

A Richard Winterton (20% buyer’s premium) sale in Lichfield included this 1973 Rolex Explorer II which sparked international interest.

Salisbury sale offered commemorative ceramics from single-owner collection

Most original British quad posters from the series of 'Carry On' films can be bought for sums in the £50-300 price bracket but a number of rarities exist.

One of the most daring air operations of the Second World War included New Zealand pilot Flight Lieutenant Maxwell Nicholas Sparks as a participant.

While Americans demonstrated by throwing tea into the harbour, the British registered complaints by putting the leaves into suitably decorated teapots.

Estimated at £100-150, this pair of 4in (11cm) Chinese vases sold for an estimate-busting £39,000 at Gorringe’s (23% buyer’s premium) in Lewes.

Serving in the Glider Pilot Regiment was a tough task during the Second World War.

Prices for good-quality writing desks continue to recover – as was evident when a George II example more than tripled top hopes.

A painted wooden shop sign that hung for many years from a store in Norwich sold at Norfolk’s newest auction house.

This large Ottoman metal thread and silk hanging features a dedication to Sultan Ahmed III (1673-1736).

A collection of Belleek porcelain totalled £7600 at Cuttlestones (20% buyer’s premium) on July 21.