Latest News Articles by Jonathan Franks
Movie camera of type that starred in Buster Keaton film is now in the frame at auction
05 January 2026A hand-cranked movie camera from 1908 was one of the stars at a recent sale at Auction Team Breker (21.8% buyer’s premium) in Cologne.
Latin America art emerging at last in its own right
05 January 2026The arts and crafts of colonial America are enjoying a purple patch in the market as Western institutions seek to tell the story of Latin American art in more inclusive and expansive ways
Ogawa Haritsu inro value enhanced by matching netsuke
05 January 2026When he was not crafting lacquer works, the 18th century Japanese artist Ogawa Haritsu spent his time, painting, creating pottery and composing haiku poems.
Jays and squirrels scamper to life across Kaendler creations for Meissen
05 January 2026In his workshop records for the period October 1739 to January 1740, Johann Joachim Kaendler, Meissen’s most accomplished modeller, noted his creation of a “life-sized jay sitting on a trunk, naturally depicted, next to him is a life-sized squirrel seated on a branch, modelled in clay, along with other appropriate ornamentation”.
Two 18th century desks of German and French origin bring in the bidders
19 December 2025The combination of a master cabinetmaker, a good provenance and a modest estimate made a prolonged bidding match for a late 18th century writing desk more or less inevitable.
Bidders on look-out for lots that lock in interest
19 December 2025Security-minded German collectors were very keen to acquire pieces from a collection of historic metalwork that was offered by Van Ham (27% buyer’s premium) in Cologne.
Rembrandt and Dürer prints drive results to best for decades
19 December 2025Karl & Faber’s (27% buyer’s premium) latest auction of Old Master prints in Munich was its most successful sale of this type for many decades, achieving several new German records.
Old Masters acclaimed in Munich as bidders sense work of skilled hands
19 December 2025A handful of determined bidders were enamoured of a painted wood panel, originally catalogued as 18th or 19th century, which was in the sale held by Scheublein (27% buyer’s premium) in Munich.
British Aesthetic and Arts & Crafts silver items stand out in Cologne sale
08 December 2025Numerous pieces of British Aesthetic movement and Arts & Crafts silver were up for sale at Lempertz (26% buyer’s premium) in Cologne on November 21.
Watches: Swiss and German highlights from a busy time for specialist auctions
24 November 2025Early November is always a busy time for pocket watch collectors. In the space of a few days, specialist sales are traditionally held in Switzerland and Germany which offer a broad selection of historical watches for all tastes and most budgets.
A selection of German, Swiss & Austrian auction previews
17 November 2025Our pick of lots from 11 upcoming auctions in Germany, Switzerland and Austria
Double mazer goblet grabs the attention
27 October 2025In the 16th century, so-called double mazer goblets were highly treasured works of art.
Modersohn-Becker self-portrait was bought by Bauer
27 October 2025For many decades, the collection of the German industrialist Walter Bauer, who died in 1968, has been hidden from public view.
Courvoisier watch with royal speciality shows a sultan
27 October 2025From the mid-18th century onwards, members of the Courvoisier family belonged to the most important and innovative watchmakers in Switzerland.
Female ceramics designer shone in Copenhagen
27 October 2025Around 1900, the majority of women employed in the ceramic industry worked solely in the decoration department, more often than not as painters.
Spanish sign amazes at €180,000 hammer
27 October 2025In recent years, Germany has often shown itself to be a vibrant market for enamel signs, attracting international bidders who on several occasions have been willing to invest six-figure prices when rare pieces come under the hammer.
Archibald Knox classic clock makes 15 times estimate in Berlin
27 October 2025Arts & Crafts design for Liberty is highly prized at German auction
Painting extols virtues of pies and playing cards
27 October 2025The oeuvre of the Alsatian painter Sebastian Stoskopff (1597-1657) is far from extensive. Only some 60 of his works are thought to exist, of which 26 are signed and 10 dated.
Falling upwards: the chance to buy a rare horological survivor
27 October 2025Falling-ball or falling-globe clocks are great horological rarities; only about 30 examples are thought to have survived since their construction in the second half of the 17th century.
Adelsberger second slice offers extensive selection of 19th and 20th century porcelain
20 October 2025In the extensive sale of October 22-25, Wendl in Rudolstadt will be selling the second tranche of the porcelain collection amassed by Kurt Adelsberger.