South-east England

Brought about by the sad death of one of the collecting scene’s more colourful characters, the sale of the Adrian Cowdry Collection at Ewbank’s (22.5% buyer’s premium) at Woking on October 12-13 attracted bidders from round the world.

'50 Shades of Brown – By George We’ve Got It!', the exhibition at WR Harvey Antiques from November 4-12, might be less titillating than its near-namesake novel – but no matter.

Mallams will sell a significant Dutch collection of Japanese swords and armour as part of this week’s auction of Chinese, Japanese, Indian and Islamic Art in Cheltenham on October 25-26.

An antiques centre which was on the point of closure has been saved in no small part by the pulling power of the Antiques Trade Gazette’s social media presence.

Printed in 1606 by Valentine Sims of London and in a contemporary limp vellum binding with gilt armorials to the covers, the little 12mo volume shown above combines …the Kings Psalmes with The Queen’s Prayers of Meditations.

A gift from the founder of the Tata global business empire to the architect who designed his Bombay headquarters, this late 19th century Patek Philippe gold hunter pocket watch was an eyecatcher at Andrew Smith (19% buyer’s premium) at Itchen Stoke on September 12.

A collection of 28 German tinplate clockwork toys all found buyers, generally above estimate, at Bourne End Auctions (15% buyer’s premium) on October 4.

The currently vibrant market for Oceanic art was made plain to staff at John Nicholson’s (24% buyer’s premium) of Fernhurst in February this year when a Maori putorino or bugle flute, estimated at £50-100, sold to French dealer for £140,000. Surely, similar good fortune would not be repeated any time soon?

More than 30 dealers will stand at the next Galloway Antiques Fair at Cowdray House in West Sussex from October 20-22.

The European decorative arts that preceded the tribal session at John Nicholson’s (24% buyer's premium) on October 10 had included a handful of notable bids, not least the £14,500 (estimate £300-500) tendered by an Italian buyer for a small early 20th century Louis Vuitton leather box measuring just 11in (27cm) across.

The Winchester saleroom Andrew Smith & Son (15% buyer’s premium) unearthed eight works by two of Singapore’s most celebrated 20th century artists for sale on September 13.

It's all change for Salvo 2018. Organiser Thornton Kay is taking a sabbatical from running the annual architectural salvage fair next year.

During his nights spent ‘fire-spotting’ for flying bombs during the Blitz, it is said the artist and occultist Austin Osman Spare (1888-1956) would while away the hours filling sketchbooks.

Newly-independent Dreweatts will hold a third – and probably final – Mallett stock sale from Donnington Priory next month.

Chrissie and John Masters, of the Design Gallery in Westerham, are pictured below in their warehouse in nearby Enterprise Way, Edenbridge, both in Kent.

The Brighton-based Lalique Mascot Collectors’ Club is launching the second volume of 'Unique Lalique Mascots' by Geoffrey Weiner at Love Fairs’ antiques, vintage and collectables fair at Brighton Racecourse on Sunday, October 22.