We do so love a single-owner collection. Unusually, due to our packed auction schedule (keep checking our website closely as we have a lot of sales coming up) we had a sale that closed on a Tuesday, rather than our usual Sunday evening.

Our really rather smashing sale results from yesterday's sale, appear below:

TOP LOT:

A COPELAND & GARRETT PART TEA AND COFFEE SERVICE

Mid 19th Century, circa 1840

Number of bids: 17

Estimate: $1,500 - $2,000

Hammer Price: $11,000

MOST BID ON ITEM:

A PAIR OF BARR WORCESTER COFFEE CANS AND SAUCERS

Circa 1800. Decorated in the imari palette with a stylised ori...

Imagine drinking from a cup made before the typewriter was invented!

Morning tea, or coffee, just got a lot more interesting. And - considering age - the condition of the collection is incredible.

This handsome teapot was around in 1819 when Raffles landed in Singapore Shaped oval on conforming stand, decorated with flowerheads, stiff leaves and gilt borders. Old BADA sticker to base. Early-mid 19th century.

Current bid: $160

More info here

In 1813 Jane Austin published Pride & Prejudice: Mr Darcy would have drunk from cups much like these This lot comes with two similar tea cups and saucer...

THE TOP SELLING LOT

Ian Fleming's Casino Royale (first edition)

Estimate: $2,000-$4,000

Number of bidders: 26

Hammer Price: $11,000

MOST BID-ON LOT

George Chinnery (British, 1774-1852) 'Figures Bathing by a Ruined Wall, Bengal'

Estimate: $2,000-$3,000

Hammer Price: $11,000

Number of Bidders: 28

MOST COVETED LOT

Ian Fleming's Diamond's are Forever

(NB We have REAL diamonds coming up in our Jewellery & Watches auction, see below!)

Estimate: $1,500-$2,500

Hammer Price: $2,400

OUT SOON | JEWELLERY & WATCHES | 75 LOTS WITH NO RESERVE

Catalogue: 7 September | Auction: 19 September, bids close ...

Want to know which item climbed to $15,000 in Sunday's sale? What was the most coveted item? Which item attracted the most bids? Read on:

TOP SELLING LOT (ALSO OUR MOST BID-ON LOT)

A CHINESE CARVED WHITE JADE CENSER AND COVER

The cover with elephant finial above mask decoration, twin dragon head drop ring handles and on tripod supports, on carved hardwood stand 10cm high x 14cm wide without stand; 14cm high with stand

Estimate: $500-$1,000

Number of bids: 47

Hammer Price: $15,000

MOST COVETED LOT

AN EAMES/HERMAN MILLER 'HANG IT ALL' COAT RACK

Wooden balls and welded steel wire frame With cer...

We're delighted to hear that eating out will soon be possible again! What restaurant did you miss the most?

Eating - where ever you do it - is essentially about 3 things: the food, the company and the atmosphere. Whilst we can't help with the first 2 things on the list (unless you ask us to dinner and invite us to cook for you!) we CAN help with the third.

And in a world where lockdown, sometimes, seems to prevail, there IS indeed something vaguely pleasing (regardless of what 'phase' we are in or whatever is going on out there in the world) in getting the simple things right; getting back t...

We are delighted to annouce that we ARE still open for viewings and can pemit a maximum of 15 visitors to the Saleroom at any one time.

Hotlotz photography is excellent and where possible, items are shot in context which help hugely if you are unable to come and visit.

Additional photographs and condition reports are always available, upon request.

When are you old enough to wear a brooch?! I like to think I have a few years left; but apparently I AM officially "old enough" to no longer wear a brooch ironically (I am four years older than 39).

Of course brooches always looks fabulous pinned to lapel of a coat or blazer (extra points if it's being worn with jeans and trainers) but they also look good when worn in a formal context (just look at Kate) or my new favourite - grouped.

Kate is a fan and shows you which side, traditionally, you are meant to wear it. (Left is technically correct, but who cares?)

I love that Blake's bling (belo...

Sundays auction was a huge success, with many lots pulling in a huge number of bidders

• 98% sold (just 4 unsold lots),
• $61,750 total hammer
• 148 bidders
• average selling price per lot sold was $381.12
• average number of bids per lot sold was 10.85

1. TOP HAMMER PRICE, MOST BID-ON ITEM & HIGHEST OVER TOP ESTIMATE

TWO BLUE AND WHITE PORCELAIN JARS AND COVERS

One example decorated with birds amongst foliage and chrysanthemum flowers, the other decorated with dragons, with associated cover, one bears Kangxi type mark to base. Both 43cm high

Estimate: $200-$400

Number of bids: 63

Hammer Price: $9,...

Last Sunday's sale was an interesting one to watch and several lots had a flurry of bids. Here's the scoop on the stats:

TOP HAMMER PRICE

A CEYLONESE SATINWOOD AND EBONY CABINET - In two sections with a carved and pierced apron, on bracket feet, with ebony mouldings and decoration, with keys

Estimate: $3,000

Hammer price: $5,500

HIGHEST OVER TOP ESTIMATE

A MAORI NEPHRITE JADE CLUB - Of typical form with leather cord. 27cm long

Estimate: $150

Hammer Price: $850

MOST BID-ON ITEM

A SET OF EIGHT CHINESE FAUX BAMBOO DINING CHAIRS -Compromising two carvers and six dining chairs, with white uphols...

Ceramics, except the greats, generally tend to be rather under-appreciated; overlooked in favour of paintings. Perhaps it's their fragility; perhaps it's because they always seem to look best in a pair (or more). Well, our Single-Owner Collection of Chinese Ceramics makes them both accessible and affordable: everything in the catalogue is being sold with - drum roll please - no reserve. This means that if no one else places a bid, you win it for the opening price of $40!

Let your decorating skills run riot. Here are some of our favourite pins for some serious ceramic inspo:

PS: Stand out fro...