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Francois Nicole musical box

Music to vendor’s ears as Francois Nicole box doubles estimate at auction

03 October 2024

A rare example from a pioneer of modern musical boxes came for sale at Lawrences of Crewkerne

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Punning box found among bric-a-brac makes four figure sum

30 September 2024

Plucked from a box of bric-a-brac brought in for a general sale, a Commonwealth gilt brass sealing wax box sold for £5200 at Lawrences of Crewkerne. A clever pun gives a clue to its maker’s identity - and perhaps his political leanings.

Lowe headlines Frome Bazaar

30 September 2024

Fashion and textiles designer and former singer songwriter Pearl Lowe will stall out with some of her antique finds at The Vintage Bazaar in Frome on Saturday October 19.

2659 AR Dore & Rees Maiolica

Rare Italian Renaissance Deruta maiolica charger shines at Somerset auction

03 September 2024

Despite its poor condition, an early 16th century Deruta maiolica portrait charger has sold for 15 times its estimate at auction in Somerset.

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Early memorabilia gets pulse racing for cycling enthusiasts

20 May 2024

Archive sold in Somerset and bugle offered in Dorset reflect the first organised cycling clubs

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Parking problems addressed at Giant Shepton Flea

29 April 2024

The nursery rhyme 'Rain, rain go away' could be the response after the UK experienced in the past 18 months the fourth-wettest period since records began.

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Original phrenology models turn heads at auction

15 April 2024

Ceramic phrenology heads have become ubiquitous following numerous reproductions. However, original 19th century models are much harder to come by.

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Taunton centre ‘is becoming quite a hub’

08 April 2024

Antiques on High on the hunt for more dealers

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Pick of the week: Dutch Golden Age relic blossoms

01 April 2024

The gift of the private collection of the late George Withers keeps on giving.

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First part of the year blessed by bumper sales of dealer collections

25 March 2024

Withers and Dailey selections follow hot on the heels of Turpin lots with plenty of fine art highlights

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Marathon Withers collection sale brings £1.28m rewards

18 March 2024

“He stored everything like Russian dolls, everything packed away into something else."

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The George Withers auction: ‘I knew this wouldn’t come round again’

18 March 2024

An auction house has existed in the Dore & Rees premises, a Victorian gothic building on Vicarage Street, Frome, since 1868.

Sarah Biffin self-portrait

Sarah Biffin self-portrait acquired by Museum of Somerset from dealer Philip Mould

16 March 2024

A self-portrait by Sarah Biffin (c.1784-1850) bought by the Museum of Somerset has recently gone on display.

Bow Thames Waterman figure

Huge demand at auction for the extensive collection of the late George Withers

26 February 2024

Buyers descend on the late George Withers collection in Somerset

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A tale of two cities: spotlight on Paris and London workshops

26 February 2024

A French three-colour gold snuff box was a highlight of the silver and vertu section of Lawrences (25% buyer’s premium) of Crewkerne’s recent winter sale.

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Major collecting fest on the cards

12 February 2024

Picture-postcard collecting became a craze in Edwardian times and in the 21st century many of us are delighted collectors of these ‘windows on the world’.

Withers TSR Figures

Silver under the floorboards and vinaigrettes in the cooker

08 February 2024

The extraordinary collection of the Bath dealer-collector George Withers (1946-2023) comes for sale across three days and two salerooms later this month.

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Carved coral pendant created in a style typical of Trapani

15 January 2024

Trapani in western Sicily has for centuries been renowned as a centre for objects mounted with carved coral, a tradition that derives from the nearby coral reefs and reached its height in the 17th and 18th centuries.

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Art collector loved the excitement of bidding battles

08 January 2024

One of the most eyecatching collections of Impressionist and Modern art sold at a provincial auction at the end of last year comprised 17 lots from the late Ralph Bateman.

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Atmospheric places to shop for antiques in Shropshire and Somerset

27 November 2023

The Times recently ran a feature on seven of the most atmospheric towns in the UK in which to do your Christmas shopping for one-off gifts, maybe combining this joysome activity with a weekend break. Here are some art and antiques options in two of them, Ludlow in Shropshire and Frome in Somerset.