Features

Modern and Contemporary art collectors are increasingly willing to consider sculpture, creating a strong and dynamic market

Special report on how art and antiques shipping and packing firms are meeting the challenges of festive deadlines, postal strikes, going green and Brexit.

In the last decade sculptures, as well as paintings, by Benedict Chukwukadibia Enwonwu (1917-94) have become a valuable proposition.

Since Britain left the EU on January 31, 2020, and the transition period ended on December 31 that year, the way goods are moved between the UK and the EU has changed – costing more money and time.

The pandemic forced more buyers online and the trend has continued.

Two sculptures of well-known 20th century British cultural figures drew attention at different regional sales recently.

A British subject born in Rio de Janeiro, Reginald Fairfax Wells (1877-1951) studied sculpture at the South Kensington School of Art in the 1890s and then studio pottery at Camberwell School of Arts and Crafts.

This rare and unusual item is a late Victorian campaign shaving companion.

As part of Henry Aldridge & Son’s auction of Titanic, White Star and Transport Memorabilia on November 19 a group of 21 lots associated with Wild West showman and powered flight pioneer Samuel Franklin Cody (1867-1913) is on offer.

This 11oz George III silver goblet by Solomon Hougham, London 1802, is engraved with an inscription that is key to its appeal.

A rare 16th or 17th century gold ‘toadstone’ ring comes for sale at Sworders in November 23 with expectations of £3000-5000.

A silver sale at East Bristol Auctions (19% buyer’s premium) included this Wiener Werkstätte twin section bon bon dish with two glass inserts to a design by Josef Hoffmann.

The Woolley & Wallis (25% buyer’s premium) silver department sold a private collection of over 100 vinaigrettes assembled in the 1980s.

The Fine Wristwatches & Pens auction at Chiswick Auctions includes a rare variant of perhaps the most celebrated of all Rolex ‘tool’ watches: a 1970s Submariner with the so-called ‘single red’ Mark IV dial.

Full-blown repoussé ornamentation defined Baltimore silver in the antebellum period.

The auction at Roseberys London on November 17 includes, estimated at £600-1000, this Victorian silver trophy made by Edward Ker Reid (London, 1864).

The sale of maritime antiques at Charles Miller (24% buyer’s premium) in London on November 1 included a number of silver boating trophies from the Royal Naval Club & Royal Albert Yacht Club, Portsmouth – most of them well received by the collecting audience.

Dreweatts’ November 23 sale includes jewels from the collection of Renée Louise Marie de Rothschild (1927-2015).

A look at upcoming jewellery auction lots

Era of pop art and protests also brought fresh design beyond the earlier ‘tool’ template