London

The spring and autumn traditionally turn the London spotlight on Islamic and Indian works of art. This year there are specialist sales at five auction houses in March and April: Sotheby’s, Christie’s, Bonhams, Chiswick Auctions and Roseberys. Pictured here are some highlights together with associated works of art from mixed-discipline sales.

After producing some of the most famous images of the Second World War, Paul Nash (1889-1946) began to focus on more pleasant landscapes.

An Anglo-Saxon gold shilling or thrymsa dating from 650- 670AD took £15,000 at Dix Noonan Webb in Mayfair.

A patriotic Walter Sickert (1860-1942) painting bought by the Imperial War Museum (IWM) in London is earmarked to be displayed among the exhibits in the new art, film and photographic galleries opening next year.

A rediscovered still-life by mannerist artist Fede Galizia (1578-1630) is among the highlights at Colnaghi’s exhibition 'Forbidden Fruit: Female Still Life'.

Anonymous complete edition from 1696-97 is now recognised as the work of Mary Astell

An unfinished portrait attributed to Sir Anthony van Dyck (1599-1641) led the inaugural sale held by Sloane Street Auctions (25% buyer’s premium) in London.

The healthy demand for top-notch medals with interesting back-stories shows no sign of decreasing, judging by recent results.

David Jeffcoat (1945-2020) was a man with many interests, not least setting up dining clubs such as the Lunardi Society celebrating the achievements of a hot air balloonist and another named after a local vicar turned highwayman.

Christie’s was first off the mark in terms of releasing details of upcoming lots at this summer’s Old Masters auction series in London. Last week it announced two important consignments from the collection of Cecil and Hilda Lewis.

Among the Old Masters in Roseberys’ sale on March 22 is this painting depicting a view of Venice by Jacopo Fabris (1689-1761). It shows the Fondaco dei Turchi, a palazzo on the Grand Canal.

A Surrealist painting by René Magritte (1898-1967) led the latest round of Modern and Contemporary art sales in London.

The organiser of The Open Art Fair (TOAF) in Chelsea vows the event will return next year.

A painting of the Battle of Trafalgar containing “one of the most important portraits of Nelson on the market in years” will be on offer in Chelsea.

Among the highlights at this month’s Connect Art Fair is an untitled c.1968/71 gouache on paper by British-Guyanese artist Aubrey Williams, offered for £4500 by Middlemarch Art.

In May 1930 Amy Johnson (1903-41) set off in a De Havilland Gipsy Moth called Jason to become the first woman to fly solo from Great Britain to Australia. The feat, followed by further long-distance solo and combined flights, earnt her place in aviation history.

Shanshan Wang is among the exhibitors at this month’s Chelsea Antiques & Fine Art Fair. She focuses on early Asian art from the Neolithic era to the 10th century and also produces contemporary pieces of her own.

The Art by Four Women exhibition held at the Walker Gallery, London, in 1935 was something of a break-through event for Birmingham-trained goldsmith Dorrie Nossiter (1893-1977).

Among the most traditional of antiques, the William and Mary oyster veneered walnut chest of drawers remains a welcome visitor to the saleroom.