South-east England

Estimated at £100-150, this pair of 4in (11cm) Chinese vases sold for an estimate-busting £39,000 at Gorringe’s (23% buyer’s premium) in Lewes.

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

This large Ottoman metal thread and silk hanging features a dedication to Sultan Ahmed III (1673-1736).

Combining technical mastery with recurring motifs derived from nature, Pierre Sterlé’s (1905-1978) style is instantly recognisable.

His daring organic sculptural designs re-energised the British jewellery scene in post-war Britain, now Andrew Grima’s (1921-2007) creations are leading the revival of ‘60s and ‘70s designer jewellery on the secondary market.

Estimated at £400-600, this 7in (17cm) high Chinese export silver dragon handled tankard sold for a much higher sum.

Once again illustrating that few countries of origin have as great an impact on furniture prices as Malta, this 18th century commode sold for £6800 at Dawsons’ (23% buyer’s premium) July 29 Maidenhead sale.

The studio potter John Maltby (1936-2020) created this chess set shown right for the Millennium celebrations at the New Ashgate Gallery in Farnham.

Sir Edwin Lutyens (1869-1944) designed a number of daring light fittings for his architectural projects – all of them rare and desirable objects.

Although catalogued as 19th century, this 10½in (27cm) maiolica dish is more probably 16th century.

An intriguing variation on an Old Master sparked a strong competition at Parker Fine Art (25% buyer’s premium) earlier this summer.

Henley-on-Thames interior designer Sharon Ingoldby, aka The Restoration Queen, is working flat out on upcycling projects.

With the unusual provenance of having been dug out of a London sewer during excavations in 1930, the 15th or early 16th century copper alloy candlestick shown here underlined the truth of the maxim that where there’s muck there’s brass.

The second day of Bellmans’ (22% buyer’s premium) sale on August 3-5 included a Chinese hardwood table that catapulted way above its £1000-1500 estimate.

A new dealer at the Henley Décor Fair later this month will be Alexander ‘Sandy’ Rich of Tregeagle Fine Art.

Samplers made by siblings or generations of the same family can attract a significant commercial premium.

Hannam’s in Selborne, Hampshire, has achieved a new house record with the sale of this Qing famille rose vase for £520,000 (plus buyer’s premium).

Sunbury Antiques announces that the main grandstand will be reopening for indoor trading

Eight phone bidders competed for this splendid ebony and pietra dura table casket offered at a recent auction at Claydon Auctioneers in Middle Claydon, Buckinghamshire.