A rare Faberge tie clip (lot 17) and a magnificent French Japanese style silver, niello and enamel comport (lot 20) are among major drawcards at Leski Auctions first auction for 2020 from 1pm Saturday February 22 at 727-729 High Street, Armadale.

The two-day sale, which continues at 10am the next day, features a huge selection of international decorative arts including ceramics, paintings, decorator pieces and glassware.

Exquisite furniture and paintings from the Victorian branch of the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation is among highlights of Philips Auctions first 2020 sale from noon Sunday February 16 at 47 Glenferrie Road, Malvern.

Among the major features are a 19^th century European school portrait of a young lady in a black dress with lace collar (lot 367), a Regency style early to mid-20^th century mahogany bureau plat (lot 432) and a late 19^th century Louis XVI giltwood canape with musical score motifs imprinted on the aqua silk taffeta (lot 436).

E.J. Ainger is launching its first auction for the year with a magnificent circa 1978 Bosendorfer ebonised grand piano that is bound to excite genuine piano buffs.

The auction, from 9.30am on Tuesday February 4 at 433 Bridge Road, Richmond, has several ornate furniture pieces – including a corner cabinet, commodes and chairs – along with a screen, solid wood bookcase and wrought iron seating.

Viewing 10am-1pm Saturday February 1 and 9am-5pm Monday February 3.

The United States might have been the first country to land a man on the Moon (Apollo 11 July 1969) but the Russians can lay claim to being the first to land an unmanned robotic probe on the surface and return a lunar soil sample to Earth (September 24, 1970).

From Mare Fecunditatis (Sea of Fertility), it was the third sample overall to come back following the efforts of NASA’s Apollo 11 and then Apollo 12 space flights in November 1969.