Sotheby's

Set of charts, plans and views was published by the Admiralty for Royal Navy use

Asian art ‘circus’ moves to French capital for dealer shows and auctions in early June

Dramatic rescue of 1916 was recorded visually by the polar explorer two years later

Sotheby’s is holding a month-long programme of exhibitions and events to mark the platinum jubilee.

One of the highlights of Sotheby’s Asian art auction to be held in its Paris room on June 16 will be this jade seal carved with the imperial symbol of a dragon, estimated at €100,000-150,000.

A £1.2m house record at Dreweatts was the highlight of the recent round of UK Asian art sales.

Underlining the recovery of the post-covid art market, at the very top-end at least, the latest series of 20th and 21st century auctions in New York posted a record total for a flagship auction fortnight.

A soapstone seal used by the emperor Qianlong to express his approval of paintings and calligraphy in the imperial collection sold at auction in Hong Kong for HK$131m (£13m) on April 29.

Letter to adviser in 1592 underlines her frustration at the French king’s policies

Street view by British artist offered in Orientalist sale sells at four times estimate

The sale of Important Chinese Art at Sotheby’s on May 11 includes this monumental Kangxi famille noire vase estimated at £220,000-280,000.