France

Isle sur La Sorgue, near Avignon, is one of the most ravishing towns in Provence.

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s much-loved tale of The Little Prince was first published in New York in 1943, with Reynal & Hitchcock issuing it in both French and English versions.

A number of the French auction rooms have released their sales figures for the first half of the year, with Christie’s Paris operation taking the top slot.

Fleur Callegari has joined the team of Les Enluminures as art director. She will be based in the Paris gallery of this firm which specialises in medieval and Renaissance manuscripts, miniatures and jewellery (the gallery has other bases in Chicago and New York).

Like many of the world’s major art markets these days, Paris concentrates activity in the Asian art field into series at specific times of the year in an attempt to attract those all-important buyers from Mainland China.

At the Drouot auction centre in June around 3000 items of Asian art went under the hammer in a series of 20 auctions that were either dedicated sales or featured substantial Asian sections.

It is high season for sales in Paris and the Drouot auction centre, home to 75 firms, is busy with its usual roster across all disciplines.

The panther is a big cat much favoured by sculptors – not only the animaliers but also those who searched for a stylishly sleek motif during the early 20th century, where it can be seen depicted on screens and vases as well as in the round.

ATG's selection of upcoming sale highlights.

An enticingly estimated drawing by the 17th century English court portraitist Sir Peter Lely offered for sale in a French provincial auction drew a flurry of attention from English trade and private bidders last week. It was propelled to over 20-times its estimate.

The tribal art auction to be held at Drouot by Binoche et Giquello on June 22 features a mix of African and Oceanic artefacts and will include two lots that formerly belonged to the artist Tristran Tzara.

Alain Lesieutre was one of the dealers and authors who pioneered the revival of interest in Art Nouveau and Deco in the second half of the 20th century.

A selection of drawings by the French painter-explorer André Maire (1898-1984) comes to the Dumonteil Gallery in Paris for the exhibition Indochina, Meeting Men and Gods.

Among several unusual clocks included in the 328-lot dedicated auction to be held in Paris on June 26 by Chayette et Cheval is this 3¾ x 2¾in (9.5 x 7cm) reveil briquet (lighter alarm clock).