A short stroll through the wonderful, colourful world of curious and delicious antique enamels.

A cluttered desk is a cluttered mind. From Georgian to Mid-Century, which era will boost your productivity?

Some knives are meant for slicing, and others are destined for snobbery.

Art good enough to eat? Or art to encourage just one more bottle?

Mapping cities was an expensive and time consuming process, fortunately it often ended with a great work of art.

Ivory legislation is just the start: the protections for endangered wood have been changing.

Glassware may be fragile but collecting it can be as simple as starting.

What does a bird expert have to say about the works of 18th century Meissen master Johann Joachim Kändler?

Why is nature such a key source in design, and how does it fit in the contemporary world?

Cartoons are not just for children - comic strips have a strong market following in Europe and the US, but does it translate to the UK?

The growing appreciation for the “nebulous” world of folk art.

Hedgerow furniture, made of sustainable chestnut, sycamore and ash, reflects both interior design trends and a growing eco-friendly mindset.

We might drink our morning brew from an Emma Bridgewater mug, but porcelain teacups are still sought after by collectors.

Design, age, and provenance can all have a part to play in the value of antique silver.

When the demand for samurai swords declined after the Meiji Restoration, artisans turned their skills to decorative objects, and the era was marked by exceptional workmanship.

Antique wallpaper provides an insight into different layers of design history, and with the skill of specialist restorers, it can live on.

Throw-away culture is creating a problem for the environment - is looking after existing furniture (rather than heading to IKEA) the not-so-new eco answer?

The Victorians knew a thing or two about comfortable chairs. It's little wonder they remain as sought after in the 21st century.

‘Oriental’ is a category that encompasses a wide range of styles in the world of carpets, and comes with a fascinating history.

The enduring attraction of the plaster cast.

Heavy lies the hand that wears the Crown. How the royals unburden themselves through writing.

A different kind of winter jacket.

Can Alexander Larman temp voracious collectors to stray from plain text, and into the colourful world of illustrated books?

Jimmy Boyle: from life imprisonment to a life sentence as sculptor

Alexander Larman talks to bookseller Carl Williams about our favourite things.

A brief voyage on the rocky seas of literary forgery

The grind continues - perhaps pepper grinders could be the new frontier in collecting.

One consequence of the death of The Queen may be an increased focus on the Royal Family as collectors.

Super gains for superheroes?

When auction estimates go out the window, it can be a big problem.

What can we learn about our next prime minister from Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak’s taste in art?

Ready for a 20th century map collection? Perhaps it is not quite time to move on from the skill and expertise of the 17th century map-makers.

Some works by renowned artists can be acquired for surprisingly low prices.

From medieval originals to modern replicas made for the re-enactment circuit, maybe everyone needs some armour in their life.

The movie poster may be ubiquitous in most teenage bedrooms, but the rare and original can be collectable too.

First editions may seem like a safe bet but does that follow for more recent, 21st century titles.

Early editions of James Joyce’s Ulysses are notoriously full of errors but perhaps that’s what makes them special.

Where does pariah status leave a country’s artists, arts organisations and artworks?

Fashion isn’t everything - finding time for the ‘wrong’ kind of art.

How and why collectors live with art installations at home.

Insects making a fine jewellery impact.

Avril Groom asks industry insiders whether it’s true that the young no longer buy diamonds.

Historical fashion - who buys it and why?

The designer second-hand shoes market has parallels with other luxury fashion items, but remains its own specialism.

With sustainability increasingly important to fashion lovers, the market for vintage menswear has found a new audience.

Iconic fashion items - what makes an investment piece and how to spot one.

The world of women’s vintage watches.

How designer handbags have grown into a key sector of the trade.

The stone or the setting – where does the value of a jewel lie?

Charles and his sister Daisy investigate and put to sale a rare artefact of the late 18th century.

An extract from ‘The souls of our dead’, Patrick Galbraith’s chapter on seabirds, place, and art, taken from his new book, In Search of One Last Song, which is out now with William Collins, priced £18.99

Fashion and textile designer, Zandra Rhodes tells us about a work of art with particular meaning to her, a quilted dinner service by artist Carol McNicoll - the next instalment of our series looking at different people’s ‘pocket treasures’.

Writer and film-maker, Jonathan Meades tells us about a work of art with particular meaning to him - the next instalment of our series looking at different people’s ‘pocket treasures’.

A look at two family-run art businesses in which second and fourth generations are taking over.

A behind-the-scenes look at a not-often-seen part of the antiques trade - talking to antiques runner Simon Pugh.

A conversation with the ‘big guy’ in English antique furniture - dealer Simon Phillips.

What effect has Brexit had on the art and antiques trade?

First excerpt of the FoodPhiles, an occasional series digging deep into one person’s approach to food.

Hugh Seaborn, the Chief Executive of the Cadogan Estate, reveals the vision that keeps Chelsea swinging.

Insights and inspiration from the legendary hotelier.

When auction estimates go out the window, it can be a big problem.

A fair through the eyes of the dealers.

Exhibitors reveal what goes into the creation of a charming and enticing space.

Why do we go to fairs in an age of e-commerce?

Jan-Peter Westad speaks with some of The Open Art Fair’s exhibitors specialising in Asian Art.

Hugh Seaborn, the Chief Executive of the Cadogan Estate, reveals the vision that keeps Chelsea swinging.