Christmas issue of Antique Collecting magazine

With Christmas fast approaching, this month’s Antique Collecting magazine – subscribe now to get it each month – has a particularly festive feel, with Georgian punch bowls, vintage ski posters and sparkling sequins all on the menu! Scroll down to see more

Pitcher Perfect: In Germany they are known as Bartmann jugs, in the UK we call them Bellarmines, either way they are a wonderful insight into both Tudor drinking customs and 18th-century international trade (as well as being highly collectable

Prints Charming: If you’ve ever dreamt of owning a Picasso, there really is a way. Prints by the Spanish maestro are eminently affordable. Gallery manager Kevin Finch reveals his collecting guide

Faces Book: ‘Cartemania’ – exchanging ‘cartes de visite’ – was all the rage, not just in Victorian Britain but across the globe. Paul Frecker reports on a very unusual – and collectable – phenomenon

Punch Drunk: In mid 18th-century England there was only one alcoholic drink to serve to guests – punch. And central to every social gathering was the punch bowl. Antique Collecting reveals the most popular ceramic designs

Putting on the Glitz: The surprisingly history of that Christmas staple, the sequin, is put in focus and we profile the sale of some shimmering garments created by the Hollywood costumier Bob Mackie

In the Knowles: Eric Knowles goes behind the scenes at the sale of the collection of the legendary comedian Eric Morecambe set to attract some fierce bidding in January

Lots to Talk About: Auctioneer and TV expert Catherine Southon lifts the lid on a presentation silver charger appearing in her saleroom made by the well-known maker, Omar Ramsden

Marc My Words: The Antiques Roadshow expert Marc Allum reveals why he is laying on a special Christmas dinner table this year

Also inside this month’s issue:

Waxing Lyrical: Fine English furniture expert David Harvey profiles a very tasty-looking Chippendale-era pie-crust table

Top of the Lots: A preview of some of the month’s most exciting upcoming lots

All the latest news from the UK salerooms and fairs