Oxford

Among the works by 19th century Italian artists generating interest at recent UK auctions was a landscape by Giovanni ‘Nino’ Costa (1826-1903).

While the market for post-war wares by Thompson’s of Kilburn – particularly the animal and figure carvings – has grown substantially in recent years, the ‘prime period’ for Mouseman collecting remains the 1920s-30s.

Group of 18 lots sets a new level of demand and prices as recent trends drive strong interest

Many of the lots in an Oxford sale of February 23 formed part of the estate of Canadian linguistic and literary scholar, the late ‘Paddy’ Docker-Drysdale.

News earlier this month of the discovery of Endurance, Sir Ernest Shackleton’s expedition ship, in the icy waters of the Weddell Sea in Antarctica, will surely have made the hearts of dealers and collectors of polar material beat a little faster.

Vincent Page, the owner of three antiques centres under the brand name of Antiques on High, is considering looking for a social media influencer to grow the business.

A versatile painter in a variety of mediums, Anna Airy (1882- 1964) was considered by some to be among the most gifted artists of her day.

Mallams is selling a collection of around 30 watercolours by the British natural history illustrator and painter, Sarah Stone (c.1760-1844).

A significant collection of works by George Bissill (1896-1973), the Derbyshire miner who enjoyed some fleeting success as an artist in the 1920s-30s but who later died largely forgotten, emerged recently at Mallams (25% buyer’s premium) in Oxford.

Few painters on the Danish art scene in the late 19th century felt a close affinity with contemporary English art. Symbolist painter Agnes Slott-Møller (1862-1937) was among the exceptions.

Top lot in a sale held by Mallams (25% buyer’s premium) of Oxford was a 1719-20, first edition set of 'The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe…', 'The Farther Adventures…' and 'The Serious Reflections…' in later but very smart bindings of red morocco gilt by Francis Bedford of London.

The English painter and engraver Bernard Kay (1927-2021) became an established name in the 1950s-60s British art scene but he has never had much of an auction presence.

As 1980s rocker Shakin’ Stevens once sang: ‘Green Door, what’s that secret you’re keeping?’

Mallams’ (25% buyer’s premium) Jewellery, Watches and Silver sale included this Commonwealth silver wine goblet.

Consignments held back during the restrictions are now impressing in salerooms, as recent auction results show

The artist Mary Fedden (1915-2012) was a great lover of opera.

Captain EF Hunter’s 'Map of Arabia and The Persian Gulf' was one of the lots fetching sums considerably in advance of what looked to be quite modest estimates in an Oxford book sale.

John Douglas’ interest in antique base metalware started over 60 years ago.

Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty, has been a favourite subject in art since ancient times.

Portraits boosted takings at Mallams’ (24% buyer’s premium) latest picture sale in Oxford.