South-west England

Relatively few gallantry medals available for what was short self-contained conflict, heroic stories involving highly collectable regiments, a relatively morally unambiguous backstory (for British collectors at least)… the Falklands War can generate high demand at auction.

A selection of Doulton HN series rarities sold at three regional salerooms this month.

Ceramics by Hans Coper (1920-81) and Lucie Rie (1902-95) have been assimilated into the collecting sphere of Modern British art with spectacular effect.

Stroud Auction Rooms’ sale on November 9-10 will feature over 1000 lots of guns, weapons, medals and militaria, including two notable collections.

The cylindrical brush pot or bitong appears to have been introduced into the repertoire of Chinese ceramic forms in the late 1620s.

Among the most desirable of all ‘Prattware’ transfer printed wares are the series of very rare and highly decorative advertising plaques produced for firms such as Crosse & Blackwell and Huntley & Palmers.

The three-day fair welcomed renowned photojournalist for a swish magazine showcase.

Samantha and Richard Payne-Withers run two antiques centres in Bridport, a Dorset market town which offers quite a choice of antiques and vintage shops.

Lucy Burnett is a dealer at Market Cross Antiques in the Somerset town of Somerton, near Yeovil.

Naive artworks that can also suit modern decorating taste are rising in popularity and price.

Leading the sale of Fine Furniture, Works of Art & Clocks at Woolley & Wallis (25/12% buyer’s premium) in Salisbury on October 6 was a very fine pair of blue john and ormolu perfume burners by Matthew Boulton and John Fothergill.

Nineteenth-century Grand Tourists and souvenirs from the Orient made for a highly successful outing near Bristol where micro-mosaic panels, intaglios and Chinese vessels led the way at Clevedon Saleooms (22% buyer’s premium).

Organiser of Wembley and Cheltenham events takes over.

Dealer Chris Watt opened Salisbury Antiques Centre nearly 30 years ago originally as a trade warehouse and despite upheavals down the years still believes "it’s well worth doing if sometimes all over the place”.

A little-known theatrical portrait painted by Johan Zoffany (1733-1810) towards the end of his career sold for £330,000 at auction in Dorset.

Two classic country house ‘garden’ form 17th century examples show their mettle

While traditional antique furniture prices are still relatively cheap, contemporary and mid-20th century material continues to be an expanding market.

Vincent Pugh and his wife Lesley White have opened their fourth centre under the brand name of Antiques on High.

Although catalogued as Kangxi period, an ovoid blue and white vase offered by Stacey’s (20% buyer’s premium) on September 20 is a Transitional piece.

‘Overflowing’ is how you might describe The Vintage Bazaar held in the Cheese and Grain, a community events venue in Frome, Somerset.