This Week at Auction


April 2026

There’s a particular rhythm to auction week. As one sale draws to a close, another gathers momentum, each bringing with it a fresh mix of stories, craftsmanship and the quiet thrill of discovery. This week at Duggleby Stephenson is no exception, with six auctions unfolding across Thursday and Friday – each one offering its own distinct character.

We begin, as many collectors do, with something small in scale but rich in impact.


Jewellery

Ends Thursday 9 April from 11am - View Catalogue

The Jewellery sale opens the week with a sense of refinement. Among the highlights is a beautifully balanced gold sapphire and diamond crescent brooch, expected to achieve £500 - £700, its gently curving line of graduating sapphires punctuated by old cut diamonds in a design that feels both delicate and deliberate.

From brooch to necklace, the mood shifts to something more contemporary in feel with a Jabel diamond slider necklace, estimated at £1,200 - £1,800. Five diamond-set clusters are suspended along a structured gold chain, catching the light with every movement and offering a confident, wearable brilliance.

Rings, of course, are often the most personal of all. An early 20th century diamond ring, also carrying an estimate of £1,200 - £1,800, is set with three graduating old cut stones and subtle accents, giving it both presence and a sense of timeless elegance.

Furniture & Rugs

Ends Thursday 9 April from 1pm - View Catalogue

As the morning gives way to afternoon, the focus turns to the home. There is something reassuringly grand about the Edwardian walnut triple wardrobe that kicks off the sale, guided at £200 - £400, its carved details, mirrored doors and generous proportions speaking of a time when furniture was made to be both functional and quietly impressive.

In contrast, a South West Persian Qahqai pictorial rug, estimated at £180 - £250, draws you in at ground level. Rich in colour and narrative, its field is alive with stylised animals and geometric forms, centred around a striking rearing lion.

Then there’s a George III roll top desk, expected to realise £250 - £350, offering a more intimate kind of appeal. Its tambour front reveals a neatly arranged interior, a reminder of a slower, more considered way of working.

Pictures

Ends Thursday 9 April from 3pm - View Catalogue

By mid-afternoon, the walls begin to fill with stories. Arthur Trevor Haddon’s Spanish Musicians with Dancer on a Colonnaded Balcony, carrying an estimate of £800 - £1,200, brings a sense of movement and warmth – you can almost hear the music and feel the evening air drifting through the scene.

A quieter moment is found in Willem Martens’ Children in a Provincial Street, guided at £300 - £500, where everyday life is captured with gentle attention to detail and a strong sense of place.

And then, something altogether different – Rayford Holroyd’s Sleeping Lion, estimated at £200 - £300, a work that balances strength with stillness, holding the viewer in a moment of calm.

Silver

Ends Friday 10 April from 10am - View Catalogue

Friday begins with the polished gleam of silver. An Edwardian tea and coffee set by Richard Richardson, expected to achieve £1,000–£1,500, stands out immediately with its flowing lines and foliate decoration, offering both elegance and a sense of occasion.

Nearby, a York Minster engraved salver, estimated at £200–£300, captures a detailed view of the iconic landmark, creating a piece that feels both decorative and rooted in place.

A pair of Corinthian column candlesticks, guided at £400–£600, completes the trio, bringing symmetry and classical form to the table or interior setting.

Antique & Decorative Objects

Ends Friday 10 April from 11am - View Catalogue

As the day unfolds, the mood becomes more eclectic as we step in to the world of decorative objects. Amongst the collection, a Royal Doulton Brambly Hedge collection, expected to realise £100–£200, which carries a gentle nostalgia, its illustrated scenes bringing warmth and familiarity to each piece.

In contrast, a Clarice Cliff Delecia jug, also estimated at £100–£200, makes an immediate impression with its vibrant streaked glaze and bold Art Deco styling.

Perhaps most evocative of all is a J.S. Fry & Sons chocolate display cabinet, guided at £300–£500, a piece that feels like a fragment of a shop interior from another era, complete with etched advertising and royal warrant.

Affordable Antiques: Collectors, Pictures & Jewellery

Ends Friday 10 April from 1pm - View Catalogue

The week concludes with a sale that invites exploration. A Bentimo 9ct gold ladies wristwatch, estimated at £200–£300, offers understated vintage appeal, while a large collection of late Victorian blue and white teaware, guided at £20–£50, brings both scale and decorative charm.

And then there are the smaller finds – a group of lacquer boxes, candlesticks and decorative objects, also estimated at £20–£50 – the kind of pieces that are often discovered by chance and kept for years.

Six auctions, each with its own atmosphere, all unfolding over two days. Whether you are searching for a particular piece or simply following the rhythm of the week, there is plenty here to draw you in.

Browse online or join us live from our York salerooms – and see where this week’s auctions take you.
Back to discover

What Our Customers Are Saying...

Get News & Updates

Get all our latest news and updates straight to your inbox. Sign up to receive everything you need to know about upcoming auctions, ways to sell, lots we love and much more...

Sign up