Latest News Articles by Cecile Shannon
Roll up, roll up for a great sale
23 September 2024Exhibited in New Bond Street over the summer, Bonhams’ auction titled The Greatest Show: The Fairground World of Ross Hutchinson was held over two days earlier this month: 150 lots at a live auction on September 10, with a further 150 through a timed online sale concluding the following day.
Single-owner collections: one careful owner
23 September 2024Whether it is a collection accumulated by a family often over generations or amassed through the efforts of an individual, such sales can deliver big results - especially now for regional auction houses winning consignments
Classic British colonial pith helmet heads to a top sum as part of extensive Scottish collection
16 September 2024Edinburgh auction includes possible record for the design achieved by an example worn by a member of the Kings Own Scottish Borderers
Grand Tour gold and micro-mosaic necklace shines bright at Shropshire saleroom
13 September 2024Only a handful of Byzantine-style gold and micro-mosaic pieces by Antonio Civilotti (1798-1870) have appeared for sale in recent years.
Rare fairground memorabilia gallops ahead at London auction
11 September 2024On entering an Edwardian fairground, the sheer size and scale of the ornately carved ‘bioscope’ show front would stop an observer in their tracks.
Spoons are thought to be Glasgow goldsmith’s only survivors
09 September 2024A set of six rare Scottish provincial silver trefid spoons dating from c.1686 were not only among the earliest Glasgow-made spoons recorded, but also appeared to be the only extant work by the goldsmith George Luke.
Roman bust thought to be an emperor stands out at auction
09 September 2024Encouraging results of two-day sale in Colchester suggests the traditional quiet period provides good selling opportunities
Bidders sense the feel of Vincennes in a fine floral display
09 September 2024An attractive lot catalogued as “a fine and rare pair of 18th century European porcelain flower pots probably Meissen or Sèvres … with porcelain flowers. 7in (17 cm) high” appeared at Hampshire saleroom Hannam’s (23% buyer’s premium) on August 20.
Nansen broke the ice for a first UK appearance
09 September 2024A remarkable late Victorian lecture programme on early polar exploration by the Norwegian scientist Dr Fridtjof Nansen has been sold at Chaucer Auctions (18% buyer’s premium) in Folkestone.
An important George III silver candelabra centrepiece lights up Maidenhead saleroom
05 September 2024Pulling out a suitcase from under a bed during a probate valuation, auctioneer and valuer at Dawsons Nicky Houston was astonished at what she found hidden inside.
Meissen figure of Count Brühl’s Tailor cuts a sartorial dash at Salisbury auction
04 September 2024Standing at 17in (43cm) high, the overly confident swagger of this eccentric bewigged gentleman is evident.
Rare Italian Renaissance Deruta maiolica charger shines at Somerset auction
03 September 2024Despite its poor condition, an early 16th century Deruta maiolica portrait charger has sold for 15 times its estimate at auction in Somerset.
Partridge holds extra studio pottery sales to meet demand
02 September 2024Adam Partridge's (20% buyer’s premium) latest Studio Ceramics sale held in Macclesfield proved a popular auction, with over 680 lots fought over by 500 online registrants and 40 room bidders.
Boer War tropical pith helmet fights the good fight at Edinburgh Auction
29 August 2024Thomson Roddick Callan (20% buyer’s premium) in Edinburgh held a mammoth two day sale on August 14-15, featuring nearly 1400 lots of antiques and militaria from the Michael Hall of Galashiels Collection.
Macintyre Moorcroft Florian Ware 'peacock' vase shows off at West Sussex auction
29 August 2024The most sought after pieces of Moorcroft are signed by either William or Walter, and for William date from the earlier period of production from 1897-1912.
Rare Vincennes porcelain flowers raise their heads at Selborne auction
27 August 2024A rare lot catalogued as ‘a pair of 18th century European porcelain flower pots probably Meissen or Sèvres… with porcelain flowers’ emerged at Hannam’s Fine Antiques & Collectables sale on August 20.
Gujarat group generates Bucks bidding frenzy
27 August 2024For Amersham Auction Rooms, it was just another house clearance.
Wreck of a Spanish galleon proved valuable for some
27 August 2024A rare James II and Queen Mary of Modena silver medal commemorating a Spanish shipwreck recovered in 1687 sold for four times the top estimate.
Boxing clever for the Aubreys saleroom debut in Surrey
27 August 2024The inaugural Aubreys (25% buyer’s premium) live auction was held in the grounds of Loseley Park in Guildford.
Textiles: Sumptuous stumpwork emerges from Eve Clarke collection
27 August 2024Examples of this three-dimensional technique stand out as part of a dealer’s collection