When they first came into use in the 1830s, friction matches were hazardous and could combust without warning, so vesta cases were something of a necessity. But as their production became more ...

A first edition copy of 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone' found on a pile of books earmarked for the bin is set to go to auction. From January 23 your current password will no longer be valid ...

Sotheby’s overall sales total for 2024 fell 24% compared with the previous year. In figures released this week, the firm reported consolidated sales of $6bn (£4.88m) in the last yea… From January 23 ...

The form emerged in the early 18 th century, though the origin of the name is obscure. Chairs of this type were manufactured in large numbers in the Thames Valley in Buckinghamshire, and Windsor may ...

An early and previously unrecorded sketch by John Constable (1776-1837) has emerged at auction house Tennants. From January 23 your current password will no longer be valid.

A textbook example of British Arts & Crafts jewellery – a Guild of Handicraft peacock pendant necklace designed by Charles Robert Ashbee – sold for $35,000 (£28,100) in the US at the end of 2024.

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 ...

The Worcester factory was founded at Warmstry House in 1751 by a deed of partnership with 15 members. The period from foundation to 1783, when it was acquired by Thomas Flight, is known as the First ...

Up to the mid-1670s, English glasses, like their Continental counterparts, were made of soda glass producing thinly constructed, lightweight vessels of fluid design. The patenting by George ...

"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 ...

A long-lost Cartier Egyptian revival jewel, previously known from an advert in ‘The Illustrated London News’, has been ...

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 ...