Glassware

While the big-money lots often steal the headlines, much of the antiquities market remains affordable.

In terms of lot numbers, the major single contribution to Sworders’ anniversary sale (see main Auction Reports this edition) on June 19-20 was the estate of the late Annabelle Comery, an inveterate and wealthy collector who had lived on Alderney in the Channel Islands.

Having successfully dispersed the collection of Lalique glass formed by Hans and Gertrud Mueller in March this year, Sotheby’s Australia is now selling the couple’s collection of other European Art Glass.

Glass bricks are a common sight in 21st century building construction, but back in the late 19th century they were cutting-edge industrial technology. They were employed by avant-garde architects such as Art Nouveau specialist Hector Guimard and the modernist Le Corbusier.

Alexia Amato specialises in antique glass and recently appeared at the Decorative Antiques and Textiles Fair in Battersea, where she exhibits three times a year. She has also stood at the Original Miami Beach Antiques Show.

A look at how specialist events at Knebworth and Solihull are now under the same banner.

The annual celebration of Mother’s Day falls this year on Sunday, March 11. Perfume bottles dating from the Victorian era, in a variety of materials and range of prices are a one-of-a-kind gift option.

The Specialist Glass Fair, founded in 1991 by Patricia Hier and run for 16 years by Paul Bishop, will be held on Sunday, February 25.

A 17th century long-necked sealed ‘shaft and globe’ wine bottle sold for an unexpected £8300 (plus 15% buyer’s premium) at Barbara Kirk Auctions in Penzance on January 23.

A specialist fair in London that was put together at top speed in under two weeks, with Christmas in the middle, has been judged a resounding success by the organiser Two C’s Fairs.

Stourbridge firm Fieldings began the new year in some style with the sale of a cameo glass plaque by George Woodall for £84,000.

A long-running biannual specialist fair has been renamed and will launch its first edition in London under a new organiser this month.

The inaugural Design at Home sale, put together by Mark Hill for Dawson’s (20% buyer’s premium) in Maidenhead, included a trio of pieces by ‘hot glass’ pioneer Sam Herman (b.1936).

A full saleroom and a sell-out are not necessarily features you associate with traditional fields such as English drinking glasses but there are always exceptions.

Engraved 18th century glassware opened the sale at Woolley & Wallis (22% buyer’s premium) in Salisbury on October 18.

As the annual Christmas-gift jamboree gets under way and exhibitors at fairs and markets across the UK bring out their best stock, all kinds of antique delights will be for sale this weekend in Oxfordshire from 40 mostly local dealers.

Susan and Mike Hunter of Twists Glass Studio in Selkirk on the Scottish Borders are two of the five newcomers to the National Glass Fair at the National Motor Museum in Solihull on Sunday, November 12.