Sotheby’s evening sale, on 24 November, of more than 500 pieces of art and antiques from the Bernheimer dynasty of dealers fell far short of its estimated £3.7m to £5.5m, with a £1.1m hammer price total (£1.4m with premium), and only 22 out of 42 lots sold. The day sale did better, with only 17 of 440 items not selling and a total £1.9m hammer beating the £1.5m to £2.3m estimate. The daytime highlights included four Renaissance limestone columns said to have once supported the ducal palace in Mantua, which made a £110,000 hammer price (estimate £60,000-£80,000, £137,000 with premium).