South-west England

Sailor’s sweethearts or valentines were once thought to have been made by sailors as love tokens during their long trips away from home.

Colourful work with provenance back to artist’s sister catches the attention in Kent saleroom

Works by William Ratcliffe (1870- 1955) are pretty rare on the market and, when they do turn up, they tend to appear at London auctions.

This early 17th century harpsichord is inscribed to the name baton for Andreas Ruckers, Antwerp, 1614.

A ‘Jolly Roger’ or pirate flag that records the Second World War exploits of a British submarine flew once more in a militaria sale earlier this summer.

‘The Gregson House’ and its contents date from the early Victorian period.

Glamorous portraits of wealthy women such as Lady Northcliffe command the highest prices

Couple move upstairs in their 17th century Cotswolds townhouse to open an antiques shop below

The organisers of the Wembley Antiques Market in north London have taken over the monthly Cheltenham Antiques and Vintage Market from Corky Events, which runs antique markets in St Albans and Chiswick.

The watch market can be obsessed with brand names – and the best names do come with a price tag to match.

Topping the bill at Dore & Rees in Frome, Somerset on July 6 was this 2in (5cm) archaeological revival brooch by Castellani.

Two fresh-to-the-market watercolours with appealing subjects by major names in the Modern British market, perhaps understandably, drew attention at Woolley & Wallis (25% buyer’s premium) latest specialist sale in this category.

Among the 20th century works on paper generating demand at regional sales in the last few months was a Keith Vaughan (1912-77) study of a group of bathers.

A Victorian sapphire, diamond and pearl brooch-pendant was one of two pieces with Indian roots offered for sale at Duke’s (25% buyer’s premium).

Exhibitions in London, Cornwall and Edinburgh cover artists who worked in the town

Captured on video camera and shared by the auction house on Twitter, this was the fistpumping moment of joy when historian Tom Holland bought a Psittacosaurus skeleton at Woolley & Wallis in Salisbury on June 30.

During renovations of St George’s Chapel, Windsor, in 1789, the tomb of the War of the Roses monarch Edward IV (1442-83) was rediscovered and his coffin accidentally opened while being moved.

The Summer Sale at Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood in Exeter on July 13-15 includes this mid-Victorian colour change sapphire and rose-cut diamond pendant.

A study of a figure wearing a robe and turban drew a fierce bidding battle at Eldreds (25% buyer’s premium) in Plymouth at the end of last month.

“After a very busy Easter event which was spectacular, our Shepton Flea is back in full force with our next flea on Sunday, July 17”, says Sue Ede.