Latest News Articles by Jonathan Franks
Bronze figures representing rivers by Bernini’s pupils bring strong bidding in Lower Saxony
08 June 2020One of the central attractions in Rome is the Piazza Navona and the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers). It was designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in 1650 at the behest of Pope Innocent X.
Chinese table clock combining Western and Oriental features offered at Hanover sale
11 May 2020For centuries, China was a rewarding market for European clock and watchmakers who created extravagant timepieces for their Oriental clientele.
Artist of reverse still life painting revealed in Munich sale
11 May 2020Among the interesting lots sold at Scheublein (26% buyer’s premium), in Munich on April 24 (a sale originally scheduled for March 20), was a 'Still Life with Basket of Fruit and Flowers'.
Danish collectors' eclectic items come to auction in Cologne
11 May 2020Over nearly four decades, a collector in Copenhagen acquired works of art to furnish and decorate a patrician residence in the Danish capital. Part of his eclectic collection is on sale at Lempertz in Cologne on May 29-30.
Canaletto influence lifts William James' Venetian scene
11 May 2020Work thought to be by studio assistant is regarded as accessible alternative to famous master
Musical box suitable for a big noise comes to auction
11 May 2020As a rule, musical boxes, which were the favoured mode of reproducing music by mechanical means in the salons of Europe and the US during the 19th century, were more or less portable mechanisms.
Teacher carved out career as a sculptor
11 May 2020Anyone walking past the Palais de Chaillot in Paris may have noticed a large sculpture of an architect on the edifice of the north wing. It is the work of the French artist Jean-René Debarre who was born in 1907.
Small piece of furniture attracts high level of interest at German auction
11 May 2020Several surprising prices emerged at Geble (19% buyer’s premium) in Radolfzell on Lake Constance on April 25.
Robe became magical prop in Paris before auction in Munich
11 May 2020This late 19th century surcoat or longgua, finely embroidered in silk and gold thread with eight dragon roundels, was originally worn by a high-ranking woman at the Chinese Imperial court.
From king to maharaja: Cartier watch with a British royal connection sells in Hamburg
20 April 2020A luxurious watch with a British royal connection went under the hammer last month at Cortrie (20% buyer’s premium) in Hamburg.
Israels lights up at Wendl
20 April 2020'Portrait of a Young Girl with a Cigarette' was a high-flyer in a sale at Wendl (21% buyer’s premium) in Rudolstadt held before open auctions were prohibited by the German authorities.
German auctions: An upbeat mood in changing times
13 April 2020Despite the inevitable restrictions German auction houses are generally adapting well
Elizabethan silver makes rare appearance in Swiss auction
12 March 2020Elizabethan silver rarely appears at auctions in continental Europe, so an upcoming collection being offered for sale at Koller in Zurich is something of a special occasion.
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”.
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.
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.
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.
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.