Essex

Museum contents devoted to the celebrated Victorian poets Robert Browning (1812-89) and Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-61) will be offered this month.

Perhaps the most famous 21st century image of Queen Elizabeth II is the photographic portrait taken by Canadian artist Chris Levine (b.1960) showing the monarch with her eyes closed.

This 900-year-old Pala dynasty bronze figure of a Buddhist deity beat all expectations to bring £210,000 (plus 25% buyer’s premium) at Sworders’ Asian Art sale in Stansted Mountfitchet on May 13.

This 13in (33cm) ormolu vase candelabrum is a candidate for the earliest English neoclassical metalwork.

Vessels of archaistic form were popular with the Qing who wished to emulate the perceived virtues of antiquity.

Interest from both trade and private buyers helped set an auction record for Paul McPhail (b.1966) at Sworders’ (25% buyer’s premium) latest sale of Modern and Contemporary art.

Two works formerly owned by American actor Douglas Fairbanks Jr (1909-2000) drew dramatic competition at a dedicated sale of his collection.

A sale of royal memorabilia at Colchester saleroom Reeman Dansie (20% buyer’s premium) on February 15 included items from the estate of Miss Beryl Poignand (1887-1965), governess and confidante to HM Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother.

The unexpected highlight of the Sworders (25% buyer’s premium) Out of the Ordinary sale on February 15 was this plaster version of the Jean-Jacques Feuchère (1807-52) sculpture Mephistopheles.

This fine example of Vienna Secession furniture was bought last year in a junk shop on the south coast for just £5.

Estimated at just £60-100, a pair of Georgian portrait miniatures sold online for £2900 at Amersham Auctions (17.5% buyer’s premium) on January 6.

This Kangxi (1662-1722) period blue and white brush pot was offered at Sworders (25% buyer’s premium) in Stansted Mountfitchet.

A rare work by Sarah Biffin (1784-1850), the early 19th century artist born without limbs, sold for £9000 at Sworders on December 15.

A sight increasingly uncommon at auction – the trade outbidding private buyers on key lots of Modern art – occurred a number of times at Sworders’ (25% buyer’s premium) latest sale in this category.

Estimated at £200-300 in the belief they were later copies, a pair of Sèvres dishes sold for £9500 at Sworders (25% buyer’s premium).

Maurice Setters (1936-2020) is perhaps best known to many football fans as the assistant to Jack Charlton as Republic of Ireland enjoyed success in the 1980s-90s.

A small picture by a giant of the 20th century Scottish art market captivated both domestic and overseas buyers at Sworders’ (25% buyer’s premium) latest Modern and Contemporary art sale.

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.