South-west England

With its exaggerated, curved armrests, ample cushioning and cantilevered frame, the H269 bentwood chair is perhaps the best known of all Czech industrial furniture designs.

The Scottish printer David Bryce (1845-1923) said that when he “descended to the miniature, mite and midget size” he had “many a scoff and jeer as to the absurdity of the production”.

Sale that featured Constable and Drury big-hitters also included intriguing lots at lower price levels

The Autumn Auction at Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood in Exeter on October 15-16 includes an array of unusual objects from the collection of the late Christopher Hawkings, who at one time was the co-owner of Phillips, Son & Neale in London’s Bond Street (the firm that later became Phillips).

A recent sale at Claydon Auctioneers (21.5% buyer’s premium) in Buckinghamshire included a suite of aluminium bedroom furniture by the HG Hawker Engineering Company.

Plucked from a box of bric-a-brac brought in for a general sale, a Commonwealth gilt brass sealing wax box sold for £5200 at Lawrences of Crewkerne. A clever pun gives a clue to its maker’s identity - and perhaps his political leanings.

Fashion and textiles designer and former singer songwriter Pearl Lowe will stall out with some of her antique finds at The Vintage Bazaar in Frome on Saturday October 19.

The Long Gallery at Messums West – established as Messums Wiltshire in 2016 by Johnny Messum – originally functioned as an equine stable.

First printed book dedicated to the game took the intriguing form of a heroic clash on Leith Links

Recent picture highlights at auction include works by artist renowned for his poultry depictions and writing on the subject

The final day of Gardiner Houlgate’s latest guitar auction included a remarkable Victorian-era instrument: a rosewood and mother of pearl inlaid harp-guitar or ‘guitarpa’.

In November, Spink of London will offer a Spitfire pilot’s Battle of Britain group of eight awarded to Warrant Officer (later Squadron Leader) Ernest Mayne, No 74 (Tiger) Squadron, RAF.

Specialist auction house Onslows’ November 29 auction includes a rare group of British and Irish recruiting posters form the First World War and a near-complete set of the Parliamentary Recruiting posters.

An auctioneer who relocated to the West Country after working at a London saleroom for eight years has launched two antiques fairs.

This 18th century mahogany card table was part of a collection of furniture from Earnshill House in Somerset offered by Busby (25% buyer’s premium) in Bridport, Dorset.