International (print edition)

This drawing by the Surrealist artist Francis Picabia (1879-1953) had several interesting associations in its provenance.

Maltese furniture rarely makes it to the international auction market, so it was something of a sensation when a finely decorated, mid-18th century writing cabinet came up for sale at Metz (28% buyer’s premium) in Heidelberg.

Since the 12th century the Sicilian town of Trapani has been closely connected to the art of coral carving. Thanks to the invention of a particular tool, ideally suited to the material, in the 16th century, the industry thrived.

Until his death in 2022, the musicologist and collector Rudolf Ewerhart lived in Wassenach, some 20 miles to the west of Koblenz.

This rare US patent model, offered for sale by German ‘technical antiques’ specialist Auction Team Breker (21.8% buyer’s premium), aimed to change the way messages were passed via the telegraph in the mid 19th century.

Judging by recent results, there has been a resurgence of interest in products from the Bohemian glass manufacture of Lötz Wwe (Loetz widow).

To say that a mid-16th century gold medal that was auctioned by Künker (25% buyer’s premium) in Osnabrück during the sale of March 16-24 is rare would be quite an understatement.

The design of a sofa and two corresponding chairs on offer at Hargesheimer (28% buyer’s premium) in Düsseldorf could never be described as restrained.

A six-figure sum for Belgian Symbolist Fernand Khnopff was the top lot of Christie’s drawing-focused sale.

The Drouot auction centre was also celebrating drawing week with no shortage of drawings and works on paper on offer.

Also during drawing week, and on the same day and just around the corner from Christie’s, Artcurial held a related art auction.

Paris works on paper events draw a line under Covid as attendance figures bounce back

Demonstrations and the bags of rubbish piled up on the Paris streets were no deterrent for visitors to the Salon du Dessin in March.

English furniture highlights from the Fred and Kay Krehbiel Collection sold by Hindman, the estate of Alan and Dianne Kay sold by Freeman’s and the Hyde Park Antiques sale at Sotheby’s, underlined strengths and weaknesses of English country house taste

Objects associated with the infamous 18th century ‘Beggars Bennison’ society command a certain appeal.

There was plenty of choice for ceramics collectors at the Krehbiel collection sale.

Across more than 800 objects offered at the Krehbiel sale, the great majority were proper antiques.

Ceramic works by the late Lady Anne Gordon, Dowager Marchioness of Aberdeen (1924-2007) are becoming a favourite with a new generation of collectors and decorators.

American couple amassed an extensive collection from the famous English factory

On numerous occasions in the early part of the 20th century, Armand Guillaumin visited the picturesque medieval seaside village of Le Brusc.