Features

Despite their small size and often unsophisticated appearance, Lowestoft models of animals are highly collectable.

It was in keeping with a Salisbury sale dominated by the remarkable £460,000 bid for a teapot made at Cain Hoy, South Carolina by John Bartlam c.1765 (see ATG 2331), that the same Woolley & Wallis (25% buyer’s premium) ceramics sale included a group of three rare enamel boxes made for the American market.

As a general rule late Victorian ceramics are at a low ebb, and teasets in particular. Bucking that trend was the extraordinary bid for this Wileman Shelley six-place tea set offered by Lockdales (19.5% buyer’s premium) Martlesham, near Ipswich.

To inject new blood into the senior ranks of TEFAF exhibitors, the fair’s organisers allow younger dealers, some from non-traditional disciplines, to do a live audition each year in the Showcase section. Kate Quill finds out what this tough test involves...

Lifting the lid on what it takes to be an exhibitor at a TEFAF fair, ATG asked three dealers – one American, one British and one German – to chart their preparations, concerns and hopes as they head to Maastricht for the 2018 event. Compiled by Lisa Johnson.

Glide through the richly carpeted, calm corridors of a TEFAF fair and it’s easy to be oblivious to the frenetic preparations that have led exhibitors to this pivotal moment in their sales calendar.

TEFAF exhibitors give their views on where ‘the greatest art show on earth’ stands today and its future. Peter Crush reports on ATG's latest 'Round Table' discussion.

Whether it’s an object saved for years or an item secured only yesterday, TEFAF will boast a wide range for sale.

Here we ask the dealers who participated in ATG's Round Table discussion the reasons why they choose to stand at the fair and ask them to pick out a star item they are taking this year.

The rise of the ‘young classics’ has helped the market become accessible to investors across all prices. Nigel Boothman talks to auctioneers and experts about accelerating trends for 2018. He also looks at the motorbikes and automobilia markets.

In the first of a two-part report spotlighting UK auction house performance and trends in 2017, ATG reviews the hammer totals and top lots at some of the regions’ leading salerooms.

A selection of classic car stand-out lots at upcoming UK sales.

A selection of highlights of the lots sold in leading regional salerooms during 2017.

Fellows boss Stephen Whittaker on where growth lies despite Brexit and other challenges

Almost a quarter of a century since ATG’s first overview of the numismatic market, ATG reviews the comings and goings of 2017

A coin that a set a record for a British five pound piece features among the hammer highlights for coins and banknotes sold across the year at auction.

The Zulu War medal awarded to Driver Charles Robson, batman to commanding officer Lieutenant John Chard during the epic defence of Rorke’s Drift, sold for £110,000 at Dix Noonan Webb on March 2.

An iconographic gold ring – perhaps once belonging to a bishop or senior member of the clergy in the Yorkshire area – sold for £7100 at Hansons (20% buyer’s premium) in Etwall, Derbyshire.

A set of five Victorian diamond six-point star brooches sold for £26,000 at Golding Young & Mawer (20% buyer’s premium) on January 24. As each star has a hook fitting and a screw fitting for attachment, the set was probably once part of a suite consisting of frames for a tiara, necklace, earrings and brooches.

The December 6 jewellery sale at Roseberys (23% buyer’s premium) was the maiden auction for new head of department Mark Bowis.