South-west England

The original Skegness Is So Bracing showing the ‘Jolly Fisherman’ dancing along a beach has become one of the most famous railway posters in the world.

A striking pair of William IV silver open salts by Paul Storr (London 1835) came for sale at Chorley’s (28.2% buyer’s premium inc VAT) latest biannual sale of Fine Jewellery, Silver, Gold and Watches.

With a rusty blade and seemingly anonymous scabbard, an ornate hilt was the key as to why an Indian tulwar sword estimated at £100-200 instead sold for a huge hammer price of £109,500 (plus 22% buyer’s premium).

Late last year auctioneer and valuer Mark Huddleston received three images of a chief’s staff or pole club along with an ‘is this worth anything’ enquiry. The vendor had inherited it from his family who (by repute) had done Presbyterian missionary work in Polynesia in the 19th century.

The Fine Jewellery sale at Woolley & Wallis in Salisbury on July 10-11 features many fine antique items such as these two documentary pieces.

An exhibition of work by Ray Atkins is at Belgrave St Ives. A Painter’s Odyssey will coincide with a new book about the artist’s life by Peter Davies.

‘Charming’ view by the Cornish artist lacking his usual dominant figures takes top spot in Penzance sale

The Parisian workshop of Henri Picq does not have quite the name recognition of Cartier or LaCloche, but it was nonetheless responsible for supplying both houses with some of the most exceptional jewellery of the early 20th century.

Most Tudor and Stuart embroidered bindings that have survived from the 16th and 17th century cover Bibles, prayerbooks, and other devotional texts.

Annual fair held at the city’s Assembly Rooms since 1986 starts afresh in Pavilion venue this July

Porcelain from the Staffordshire factory takes up half a sale – and it’s just the first part of a huge collection