An early 17th-century shaped linen ruffler, believed to be the only known example to ever appear at auction, was hammered down at £230,000 – 30-times its estimate – in south London. Museums from the ...

The earliest collectors of firearms were probably monarchs intent on amassing armouries to demonstrate their wealth and power. They also became patrons, employing expert craftsmen to create better and ...

After 1840, F. & R. Pratt of Fenton in Staffordshire, became the leading (but not the only) manufacturer of multicoloured transfer printed pot lids and a huge range of related wares. Long admired for ...

Different from the simple overglaze 'bat' printed wares produced at the Worcester and Caughley factories from the 1750s, Spode's ingenious method involved first the engraving of a design onto a copper ...

They did this to avoid the perils of travel and (after 1784) to escape paying duty in a region where a heathy distain for the Hanoverians persisted well into the 19 th century. Currently some 30 ...

A new auction high for a Moorcroft vase was set as the previous record holder returned to the rostrum. The flambé Carp vase designed c.1914, last sold in 2012, came up for sale at Woolley & Wallis’ F… ...

"In their view, we Londoners know little about God, and nothing about pottery". Royal Doulton's rise from London makers of domestic stonewares to an internationally-recognised Staffordshire Potteries ...

British awards and decorations have many fascinating stories. There are two major categories: campaign medals and gallantry medals. Campaign medals are awarded to members of the British Armed Forces, ...

The artist Mortimer Menpes (1855-1938) was something of a jack of all trades. But contrary to the old adage he was a master of many. The Australian-British painter was also a printmaker, illustrator, ...

An 18th century carved oak chair has been stolen from a Buckinghamshire church. The chair is believed to have been taken some time in the three days preceding June 5. It was taken … ...

That, at least, was the theory. In fact, relatively little Irish ‘provincial’ silver made the journey to the metropolis to receive official approval – for reasons of security and economy. It is a ...

A flintlock duck gun hailed as exceptional by Olympia Auctions fully lived up to its billing when it shot past an estimate of £60,000-80,000 to hammer down at £380,000 on June 26.