Auctions

IT IS Islamic week, although there is nothing to match last October's 12th-century bronze lion at Christie's, the most expensive Islamic artwork at pounds 2.42m. But October's buoyant sales showed strength at the cheaper, decorative end. A sign of young new buyers? Christie's sale Tuesday (10.30am) and Thursday (2.30pm) includes an Andalucian vaulted ceiling (Tuesday), one of thousands of pieces of exotic architecture salvaged by the press baron William Randolph Hearst: estimate pounds 100,000.

Sotheby's Islamic sale is Thursday (10.30am). It also offers Indian miniatures from the British Rail pension fund, Tuesday (6pm); and on Wednesday it has carpets (10.30am) and manuscripts (10.30am). Strictly for voyeurs: Bonhams offers the biggest Mughal emerald at auction, Friday (11am): est. pounds 150,000- pounds 250,000.

An entire private collection of medical instruments at Christie's South Kensington, Thursday (2pm) has a Roman bronze fertility amulet, to be worn on the penis: est. pounds 100- pounds 150.

BEST OF THE REST

Natural history and travel books are at Christie's, Wednesday (10.30am). Classic cars are at Brooks, Olympia, Wednesday (6pm).

COUNTRYWIDE

Honiton: Private collection of Victorian commemorative china, plus Baxter and Le Blond prints, postcards and cigarette cards, Thursday (2pm). On Friday (11am), furniture, pictures, ceramics. Bonhams, Dowell Street (0404 41872).

Manchester: Resale timeshare weeks, low or no reserve, in France, Florida, Portugal, Ibiza, Menorca, Tenerife, Spain, Lanzarote, Corfu etc, tomorrow (2pm): Novotel, Manchester West. Kenneth Ward Resorts (081-339 0010).

Launceston: Sale of ephemera related to the West Country, the Isles of Scilly and Daphne du Maurier, Tuesday (10.30am). Jamaica Inn Gallery, Old School, Bolventor (0566 86020).

Cambridge: Japanese lacquer Tobako- bon and 1900 Egyptian Revival chair in antiques and art sale, Wednesday-Thursday (11am daily): Cheffins, Grain & Commins, 2 Clifton Road (0223 213343).

Northampton: 150 lots of audio equipment following 500-lot general auction, today (9.30am). Albion Auction Rooms, Commercial Street (0604 22735).

Stafford: Annual nursery sale of bedding plants, container-grown shrubs and garden machinery, next Saturday (10am). Hall and Lloyd, South Street (0785 58176).

FAIRS

London International Antique Dolls, Kensington Town Hall, W8, tomorrow (081-693 5432).

Westminster Spring Antiques, Royal Horticultural Hall, Thursday to 1 May. Penman (0225 444292).

Antique and Collectors: South of England Showground, Ardingly (near Haywards Heath), Wednesday. Ben Whitaker (0636 702326).

Hatfield House Spring Antiques (40 dealers), last day tomorrow. Bailey Fairs (0277 364045).

Brunel Clock and Watch: Brunel University, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge (148 stands) tomorrow (0895 834357).

Countrywide: Antiques Trade Gazette (071- 930 4957) and Government Auction News (071-928 9001, hotline 0891 887700).