Edinburgh

Rare market appearance by a Sir Henry Raeburn work heads a special report on recent Scottish highlights

An unusual number of high prices for pictures has been recorded outside London this season.

Gavin Campbell (1851-1922), the 7th Earl of Breadalbane, was a prominent society figure and Liberal politician in the Gladstone administration but is best known in collecting circles as the owner of a vast array of silver.

This huge porcelain breakfast service was made to welcome Queen Victoria and Prince Albert on their first visit to Scotland in 1842.

Extensive cross-section of design-themed objects offered in Edinburgh and London by same auction house

This Fijian kava bowl, or daveniyaqona, carved in the form of a shallow figure, would have been used for both the consumption of kava (yaqona – the intoxicating liquor of the pepper plant) by priests during religious rites and to hold sacred oil.

Talented amateur artist enjoyed riding excursions with the author to antiquarian sites

Peter Closon (c.1594-c.1662) was one of the most prolific of the so-called First Period lantern clock makers – although little is known about his life.

A wax seal matrix bought at auction by National Museums Scotland has revealed how James V of Scotland (1512-42) treated one of his illegitimate sons.

This Neo-classical silver tea service combines the talents of two giants of the Regency era.

With classic watches usually priced in five or six figures, it is worth discovering the less well-known brands and especially those from the 1980s, says newly appointed Lyon & Turnbull specialist Sarah Fergusson

In his book 'Oriental Rugs' (1998), textiles scholar Murray Eiland Jr lamented the challenges in dating and identifying carpets woven in south-east India.

Challenging, grotesque and raw, 'The Fete' sums up the art of Pat Douthwaite (1934-2002).

A collection of watercolours by Sir William Russell Flint (1880-1969) given their own stand-alone catalogue set pulses racing at Lyon & Turnbull.

Traditional picturesque views of Scotland show signs of a market revival

A recent sale at Franklin Browns (18% buyer’s premium) in Edinburgh on included one of the most ambitious and most desirable of all early 19th century Staffordshire figure groups: the 'Polito’s Menagerie of the wonderful burds and beasts from most parts of the world'.

Shown here is the opening spread of a special copy of an 1895 Dent edition of 'A Midsummer Night’s Dream' sold at Lyon & Turnbull (25/20% buyer’s premium).

Selection of skiing posters focused on winter sports and travel is on offer at Edinburgh auction house Lyon & Turnbull.

MADAM – I was pleased to see that a piece of furniture designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh for 78 Derngate, Northampton, had sold so well at auction early in November (front page, ATG No 2467).