Auctions

A BRASH newcomer to Britain's big fairs scene, the International Art and Antiques Fair, opens in Harrods, London, on Friday for six days.

The organisers, Brian and Anna Haughton, both British, hammered a hefty wedge into the American fairs market when they launched an annual international fair at New York's Armoury four years ago and have a reputation for commercial success. Their new London fair has cleverly jostled into an empty calendar slot coinciding with Harrods' busiest period (between 40,000 and 50,000 customers daily), and the store's 180,000 account holders have been targeted by mailshot. Small wonder that the 30,000sq ft of floor space is fully booked with 85 stands. Entry costs pounds 10 single, pounds 18 double, and the fair is open 10am- 6pm Monday, Tuesday, Saturday; 10am-7pm Wednesday, Friday; 12 noon-6pm Sunday.

EUROPEAN CERAMICS

More contemporary ceramics at Bonhams, Wednesday and Thursday (6pm daily) with a strong contingent of Leach and his followers, as well as Rie and Coper, and the 132-lot collection of the late Willem Latuasan. Some exponents are little known here, such as the German Antje Bruggeman Breckwoldt (bold still-life gourd on a plate, pounds 450- pounds 750) and the Swiss Edouard Chapallaz (vessels from pounds 40- pounds 60).

BEST OF THE REST

British paintings: Sotheby's, Wednesday (10.30am).

British drawings and watercolours: Sotheby's, Thursday (10.30am), Christie's, Tuesday (2.30pm), South Ken, Thursday (10.30am), Phillips (with European), Monday (2pm), Bonhams Chelsea, Thursday (2pm).

Silver: well-stocked sales at Christie's, Wednesday (10.30am), Sotheby's, Thursday (10.30am).

COUNTRYWIDE

Barnet, north London: Christie's sale of garden statuary, architectural fittings and chimney pieces at Wrotham Park, Tuesday, 12 noon (071-839 9060).

Manchester: Ladies' and gents' clothing, standard to outsize, huge quantity of assorted fabrics, wedding wear, fishing tackle, Thursday (11am). Auction International, 51a Broughton Lane, Strangeways (061 832 2400).

FAIRS

Thurs-Fri: Solihull Antiques, Conference Centre (0562 700791).

Friday-Sunday: West of Scotland Antiques, Cameron House, Balloch, by Loch Lomond (Country House Events; 0937 541065).

Country: Antiques Trade Gazette (071- 930 4957) Government Auction News (0686 668851, hotline 0891 887700).