Latest News Articles by Jonathan Franks
Burning question from Charles Dickens
02 March 2020One of the many memorable scenes in Charles Dickens’ 'Bleak House' was the portrayal of the apparent spontaneous combustion of Mr Krook, leaving “the cinder of a small charred and broken log of wood sprinkled with white ashes”.
Classical micro-mosaic box appears at Zurich sale
02 March 2020This octagonal brass box, decorated with 17 micro-mosaics featuring subjects from classical antiquity, was created by Augusto Castellani of the famous firm of Roman jewellers founded by his father Fortunato.
Flemish artist takes the long view
02 March 2020It is safe to say that the canvas 'Panorama of the River Scheldt with the Silhouette of Antwerp', executed by the Flemish artist Mathieu Ignace van Bree (1773-1839) in the late 18th century, will not be the most expensive painting sold in Germany this year.
All-in-one kit for artists
02 March 2020This well-fitted maple wood artist’s box comes with numerous watercolours, mixing bowls and a small folding easel.
Only existing drawing of Benin from before 1890 in demand at auction
02 March 2020Several surprises emerged in the tribal art sale held by Cologne auction house Lempertz (24% buyer’s premium) in a recent sale held in Brussels.
Silver medal celebrating Jacobite defeat emerges at Munich auction
02 March 2020A silver medal on offer at Gorny & Mosch in Munich on March 9-10 commemorates the last pitched battle fought on the British mainland.
Raphael in beaker form
02 March 2020Raphael’s painting 'Madonna della sedia' is one of the most familiar images of Western art and has been copied by artists since its inception in 1513.
Swiss painter Marius Borgeaud offers paws for thought
02 March 2020Marius Borgeaud (1861-1924) was one of several Swiss painters working in Paris around the turn of the 20th century.
Rare version of Meissen's modern coffee service emerges Dusseldorf
02 March 2020Having been heavily criticised for its antiquated designs at the World Exhibition of 1900 in Paris, the Meissen porcelain factory commissioned avant-garde designers to produce more vibrant pieces.
Picture that moves with the times
02 March 2020Throughout the 19th century, picture clocks were popular in many German-speaking parts of Europe.
Example of silver Shekel which became symbol of revolt offered in Germany
02 March 2020Just under 600 lots in the extensive March 16-20 auction at Künker in Osnabrück come from the Samel collection. This highly important collection was put together by Josef Samel and his sister Angela Arluk, who were born in Poland, but settled in Munich after the war.
Buyers spoilt for choice as German auction houses hold their autumn Asian offerings
06 January 2020German auction houses traditionally hold their autumn sales of Asian art towards the end of the season and this year collectors and dealers were spoilt for choice.
Greek life in a German studio
23 December 2019When Theodoros Patros Vryzakis (1814-78) was only a young boy, his father was executed by the Turks during the Greek War of Independence.
Photo portraits and postcard are pick of a Berlin auction
23 December 2019A set of famous and highly collectable photographic portraits by a well known photographer and a rare postcard painted by a German Expressionist were two highlights of an auction at Berlin saleroom Grisebach (30/25% buyer’s premium) on November 27.
A tale of Hoffmann
23 December 2019In 1906, three years after he had founded the Wiener Werkstätte with Koloman Moser, the multi-talented Austrian Josef Hoffmann designed a silver casket.
Portrait by talented Rembrandt pupil gives boost to Old Masters sales in Germany
02 December 2019Pictured here is a selection of notable Old Master results from recent sales in Cologne and Munich where international bidders battled with German dealers and collectors.
Rococo couple by Höchst in autumn glory
18 November 2019The first incarnation of the porcelain factory in Höchst near Frankfurt existed for exactly half a century. It was founded in 1746, making it the second-oldest producer of porcelain in Germany after Meissen.
Vintage print of Julia Margaret Cameron's 'The Dream' offered at Berlin auction
18 November 2019Although her career as a photographer lasted only some 16 years, Julia Margaret Cameron (1815-79) is acknowledged as a pioneer of the medium, creating a remarkable oeuvre of portraits and other photographic compositions.
Family values at Munich saleroom
18 November 2019The private collection of the late auctioneer Rudolf Neumeister was on offer at the saleroom bearing his name – which is now run by his daughter.
Schiele reveals his artistic manifesto
18 November 2019“There is no such thing as modern art, there is only art and it is perpetual.” The author of these lines was, perhaps surprisingly, the highly modern Austrian painter Egon Schiele and are part of an artistic manifesto written on July 17, 1911.