William Staite Murray – A Rediscovered Painting

William Staite Murray Painting

Mark Hill examines a newly rediscovered 1930s Modern British painting by studio potter and artist William Staite Murray.

Twins Seven-Seven & Nigerian Modern Art

Twins Seven Seven

I’ve collected etchings since I was at school and I added a real gem – with an unexpected background – to my collection last month. I was drawn to it in the auction catalogue due to the incredibly intricate and fantastical design and the size – it measures a large 50cm (19.75in) by 37.5cm (14.75in). […]

Modigliani, Marevna & A Student’s Promise

Marevna Modigliani Varvogli

I didn’t want to die at 36, but to a young art history student living away from home for the first time, Amedeo Modigliani’s life (1884-1920) seemed dramatic, charismatic, exciting and bohemian. I loved (and still love) his art and set myself a challenge of one day owning something directly connected to it and him […]

An Original 1960s Hille ‘Hillestak’ Furniture Catalogue

1960s Hille furniture catalogue

When I was pulling together my ‘Design At Home’ 20th century design auction for Dawson’s Auctioneers earlier this year, a vendor contacted me wishing to sell a group of British postwar furniture owned by his uncle, who had sadly recently died. His uncle had bought all the pieces brand new in 1961, and had looked […]

My First ‘Design At Home’ Auction with Dawson’s

Saturday 2nd December 2017 saw my first ‘Design At Home’ midcentury modern and contemporary design auction with Dawson’s Auctions, and my return to the auction world (other than as a buyer!) after 16 years. And I loved it – every single bit of it! It was great to connect with new clients, and reconnect to […]