Royal Doulton figure collectors will be in their element next week when auctioneer John Ainger climbs the podium at E.J. Aingers 433 Bridge Road, Richmond.

A large assortment of the figures and Royal Doulton display plates will go under the hammer once the auction starts at 9.30am Tuesday November 12.

Moorcroft items are another major attraction with small and large vases, a tea set for six and a display plate among the offerings.

A late Regency mahogany three-leaf dining table is among the furniture along with wrought iron and a buffet lamp.

Gibson’s Auctions Spring Auction Series has delved deep into English history with its offering of a Reformation work by Sir Peter Lely (1618-1680), leading portrait artist to the English court of his day.

Carrying a catalogue estimate of $15,000-$25,000, the painting (lot 119) is part of the auction house sale that begins on 10.30am Monday November 11 at 885-889 High Street, Armadale.

Painted about 1660, the subject matter is Margaret Waller (1627-1694), eldest child of English Parliamentary general during the 1642-45 English Civil War Sir William Waller (1597-1668).

The solid cedar boardroom table that media mogul John Fairfax commissioned renowned early colonial Australian furniture maker Joseph Sly in 1855 to make for the Sydney Morning Herald offices is to be auctioned in Melbourne.

A unique piece of Fairfax Media history and possibly the only one made by the furniture maker still in existence, the table (lot 151) will be part of the Fine Arts Auctions sale from 11am Sunday November 3 at the Morning Star Estate homestead 1 Sunnyside Road, Mt Eliza.

Just about anything auction goers could desire will be available at E.J. Ainger’s forthcoming sale from 9.30am Tuesday October 22 at 433 Bridge Road, Richmond.

If it is furniture they are after, there is an inlaid and ormolu mounted centre table and marble top commodes.

Or perhaps they are looking for a partners desk or occasional or hall tables. These are all on offer at Ainger’s forthcoming auction.

For those buyers looking for iron gates, the auction house has a selection in this sale that is bound to suit a variety of tastes.

After more than 50 years icons of the Australian antiques trade, John and Barbara Wigg, have called it a day and are selling the entire contents of their New South Wales property through Christian McCann Auctions from noon Sunday October 27.

The onsite auction at 30 Andrews Avenue Kooringal, Wagga Wagga involves the entire contents and private collection of the family home (which also is for sale) including the most important 19^th century mahogany sideboard (lot 58) to be offered at auction in recent memory, according to auctioneer Christian McCann.

A Faberge enamel and sterling silver bedroom clock in its original case (lot 64) will be a major highlight of Christian McCann Auctions forthcoming on site sale bristling with 18^th and 19^th century antiques from noon Sunday October 20 at 9 Barnard Road, Toorak.

Seventeen paintings by Australian artist and 1933 Archibald Prize winner Charles Wheeler (1880-1977) from his own estate will be auctioned from 6.30pm Monday October 14 as part of Gibson’s Auctions Australian and International Art sale at 885-889 High Street, Armadale.

The paintings include a self-portrait (lot 3) painted during his student days and the Untitled (Mooring on the River Thames) (lot 16).

One of Australia’s leading sopranos with a career in both Opera Australia and the Victorian State Opera is auctioning several pieces of quality sterling silver through Philips Auctions forthcoming sale from noon Sunday October 20 at 47 Glenferrie Road, Malvern.

The retired diva, who does not wish to be named but who has been honoured twice over the years in Queen’s Birthday honours for her services to music, appeared with many of the leading musical lights of her day.

Auctioneer John Ainger is over the moon about his forthcoming auction featuring the contents of the estate of Edrina Caroline Tarring Dunstan, a direct descendant of James Henty (1800-1882) – an influential pioneer, merchant, banker and politician in early Melbourne.

The auction, from 9.30am Tuesday October 8 at 433 Bridge Road, Richmond, also features furniture items from a Toorak mansion and a Glen Iris estate.

Nothing like the onset of Australia’s spring racing season to remember a true champion of the Australian turf – none other than the iconic Phar Lap who not only won the 1930 Melbourne Cup but every other major race of his day.

Tragically, Phar Lap died shortly after winning the 1932 Agua Caliente Handicap – one of America’s greatest races – in record time.