International

Over 17,000 visitors including representatives from French and foreign museums, major collectors and decorators attended the first staging of the newly merged fair Fine Arts Paris & La Biennale.

A Max Beckmann (1884-1950) self-portrait set a record for any artwork sold at a German auction when it was knocked down at €20m (£17.1m).

In 1981 the most powerful man in the universe, He-Man, began his fight against the evil Skeletor to save the planet of Eternia and protect Castle Grayskull.

The latest catalogue from Jonathan Grant Gallery in New Zealand includes 'Pergola', a c.1936 gouache on paper by Frances Hodgkins (1869-1947).

In collecting terms it is not surprising that a country such as Australia should have a tradition of interest in English ceramics – factories such as Royal Doulton and Moorcroft have a noticeable following.

Shown here is one of ‘very few known’ examples of Yonezawa’s c.1962 Diamond Planet Robot – the largest tin windup robot produced, 10in (24.5cm) high.

A gallery offering Old Masters and antiques as well as Contemporary art is opening in Brooklyn, New York City.

This head of Buddha Sakyamuni from Thailand, c.1500, is among the offerings from Marcel Nies’ latest show and catalogue on Asian sculpture.

Bertha Alexander Behrman – aka Madame Alexander – was probably destined to be a doll maker.

At first glance this early 18th century British-made sporting flintlock is nothing particularly out of the ordinary, despite being impressively engraved and relief carved.

Top result from the October 26 arms and armour auction at Munich saleroom Hermann Historica (25% buyer’s premium) was a 5ft 6in (1.67m) two-hand sword made by the acclaimed bladesmith Wolfgang Stantler II of Passau, c.1580.

A ‘Siege of Louisbourg’ powder horn belonging to one Ranger Abijah Smith sold for $17,500 (£15,200) at Bonhams Skinner in an auction on September 28 in Massachusetts.

This Victorian purse gun was designed by Oscar Frankenau from Nuremberg and patented in both the UK and the US in 1876.

Calculations on planetary movements rise to the occasion in New York saleroom

Staging a photo collection sale just as a specialist fair opened proved a great choice.

Offered as part of a series of sales held by Reiss & Sohn (19% buyer’s premium) of Königstein im Taunus was an exceptionally early cookery book.

Paris auction Ader (28% buyer’s premium) was busy on the photographic front during Paris Photo.

A pair of ornate presentation flintlock pistols made in London and later owned by an American patriot sold for $55,000 (£46,200) at a US saleroom.