South-west England

Found in a cigar box during an attic clearance and taken to Exeter auction house Bearnes, Hampton & Littlewood (25% buyer’s premium), seven framed daguerreotypes in poor condition provided one of the better sleepers of the year on November 22-23.

Commissioned by the 'Illustrated London Times' to document the construction of the mighty Great Eastern, the young photographer Robert Howlett (1831-58) took some of the most famous images of ship’s designer Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806-59).

Illuminated manuscript c.1470 is a highlight in Gloucestershire saleroom

Punch and Judy shows in Britain date back to as early as 1662 – recorded by Pepys – with origins in the charismatic 16th century Italian puppet Pulcinella.

A fine First World War silver presentation model of the Vickers FB5 or Gunbus made by Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Company (London 1916) was sold together with two related photographs plus a copied letter of provenance at Dominic Winter (20% buyer’s premium).

A small watercolour titled A Sleeping Wayfarer by George Richmond (1809-96) roused a few bidders into action when it was offered at auction.

A group of five watercolours by Peter de Wint (1784-1849) that were previously kept at a Grade II-listed Oxfordshire country house caught the eye at a recent sale.

More than 20 yards of Morris & Co fabric and two Howard & Son chairs were among a group of lots consigned to auction in Wiltshire with a provenance to Haselbech Hall, Northampton, and the Bower Ismay family.

Some lucky youngsters were among the attendees at IACF’s Shepton Mallet Antiques Fair earlier this month.

The Stroud engineer Edwin Beard Budding (1796-1846) is considered the inventor of the lawnmower (1830) and the adjustable spanner (1842).

Among a number of sporting pictures generating decent interest at recent sales, this autumn Cheffins (24.5% buyer’s premium) posted the highest auction price for the hunting specialist Lionel Edwards (1878-1966) in over 12 years.

A clutch of good-quality traditional landscapes exceeded hopes at Exeter saleroom Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood (25% buyer’s premium).

Tory politician acquired the artist’s watercolours before London dealer raised the profile

The Woolley & Wallis (25% buyer’s premium) silver department sold a private collection of over 100 vinaigrettes assembled in the 1980s.

Queen Victoria gave many gifts to family, friends and servants, often commemorating notable events in her life.

Organiser announces 2023 launch of another decorative home and salvage event

A new decorative and salvage fair will launch next summer in the Cotswolds.

This fine First World War silver presentation model of the Vickers FB5 or Gunbus was made by Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Company (London 1916).

Outside the John Patten collection at Lawrences of Crewkerne on October 12 were several other good-quality pictures boosting the bottom line.

A silver sale at East Bristol Auctions (19% buyer’s premium) included this Wiener Werkstätte twin section bon bon dish with two glass inserts to a design by Josef Hoffmann.