International (print edition)

Far and away the highest result for an Asian work of art in recent sales in Germany, Austria and Switzerland was the spectacular price of SFr4.2m (£3.3m) achieved by Koller in Zurich for a Chinese bronze censer (see front page, ATG No 2397).

Since the late 1880s, opera fans have braved the often intense heat of the summer to visit the Wagner festival in Bayreuth.

At a €2.7m (£2.45m) hammer price, a 17th century Flemish flower painting was the toast of the Old Master picture results in Paris this year. It was also the highest price recorded at the Drouot auction centre so far for 2019.

In September the Paris auction scene wakes up from its long summer slumber to get back into action for the approaching autumn and winter season.

September will be a key date in the diary for the French auction firm Osenat, which has announced its expansion with an extra venue and several new departments.

A selection of art and antiques events taking place in Paris in September.

'La Biennale Paris' and 'Parcours des Mondes' bring the dealing scene in the French capital back to life after summer slumbers, while auction houses also rise to the occasion. We take an early glimpse at what will be on offer for the visitor in September.

From the 18th century onwards, the city of Birmingham was a major centre of the British gun-making industry.

Views of Venice figure prominently in a collection of 42 Old Master drawings from the 18th century, being sold by Metz in Heidelberg on July 20.

Numerous tribes inhabit the Cross River state of south-eastern Nigeria, close to the border with Cameroon. Animals of many kinds play a major part in the myths and religions of the area.

A rare signed ink and gouache image in which Tintin carves a makeshift propellor to replace that damaged by a forced landing of his aeroplane in the Soviet Union sold for $900,000 (£708,660) in a June 8-9 sale of European comic artworks held in the US.

Cologne auction house Lempertz (24% buyer’s premium) held a recent sale devoted to the Schwarzach Collection of mortars, which is thought to be the most extensive of its type in Europe, if not worldwide.

The first American flag believed to have been planted on Omaha Beach in northern France on D-Day proved to be the top lot in Heritage’s (25% buyer’s premium) Arms & Armor, Civil War & Militaria Auction on June 9.

Asian auction series now take place around the world throughout the year in the major centres of the art market. Paris held its latest staging this month at the beginning of the French capital’s Temps Fort or high season.

On July 3-4 French auction firm Rossini will be holding a sale entirely dedicated to fans when it offers the collection of Michel Maignan.

Folk art (or art populaire as it is known in France) has gained an increased following over the years.

A mixed-discipline summer estates sale to be held by Neal Auction Company in New Orleans on June 22-23 will include this pair of 70oz, silver-gilt Edwardian figural tazzae by Elkington & Co marked for Birmingham 1907 with removable glass bowls.

Chicago-headquartered US saleroom Hindman, formerly Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, has an ambitious agenda that goes beyond its recent rebrand, as its CEO Thomas Galbraith tells ATG.