London

A strong turn-out of collectors at the patron and curator evening of Masterpiece London and a busy preview day helped exhibitors to achieve significant early sales as the fair returned after a two-year pandemic-induced break.

A string of top-end consignments of British works boosted the latest London sales of Modern and Contemporary art.

Alan Elliot’s professional life – he ran a world-class provider of time management and communication systems for many years – overlapped with his private interest in collecting clocks.

Swaythling auction includes more than 80 pieces of 18th century English origin

A sale held by Sotheby’s (26/20/13.9% buyer’s premium) to disperse natural history works from the library of Henry Rogers Broughton, 2nd Baron Fairhaven, contained a good many lots that brought six-figure bids, but the one featured here was one that proved a surprise.

The top-selling lots in the Swaythling collection sold at Christie's were paintings from a diverse range of genres and periods.

The latest themed sale at Bonhams (27.5/25/20/14.5% buyer’s premium) was an auction titled India in Art, offering a mix of pictures and objects relating to the subcontinent.

Platinum jubilee excitement combined with an emotive back story and a royal connection to create the perfect conditions to sell an Elizabeth II brooch

Diamond tiaras continue to enjoy a steady revival in demand, particularly in states where a diamond fascinator is once again de rigueur at formal and informal high-society events.

The TEFAF Maastricht fair opened with a raft of high-value sales last week.

Portobello Road Market will return to Sunday trading this summer.

Don’t forget to visit London’s shops and galleries when in town for the multi-dealer events

The contents of a small London museum devoted to Victorian poets Robert Browning (1812-89) and Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-61) sold for just under £100,000 at auction in Essex.

The Chaworth Roll, a 14th century genealogy of the kings of England that includes the second-earliest recorded road map of the country, is on offer at TEFAF Maastricht this week.

Dramatic rescue of 1916 was recorded visually by the polar explorer two years later

Cordelia Bourne is one half of Patrick Bourne & Co which takes part in London Art Week and Masterpiece this summer.