Latest News Articles by Jonathan Franks
Blunt portrayals bring sharp bidding in Munich
29 April 2019The German artist Heinrich Zille (1858-1929) was known for his caricatures and humorous and sometimes very blunt portrayals of the lower classes and demi-monde in Berlin around the beginning of the 20th century: his so-called milieu-studies.
Madonna and Minerva sculptures stand out in Vienna sale
29 April 2019Two highly different examples of sculptural art caused the greatest stir at the sale of works of art at Kinsky (25% buyer’s premium) in Vienna on April 8-10. First up was the 3ft 5in (1.05m) high lime-wood sculpture of the Madonna with Child, flanked by two angels.
Traditional Russian drinking vessel served up at auction
29 April 2019Russian works of art are coming up for sale at Dr Fischer in Heilbronn on May 17.
Casket was born in Bethlehem
29 April 2019The extensive spring sale at Schuler (20/18.6/16.6% buyer’s premium) in Zurich lasted from March 18-22. The results were as varied as the works of art on offer.
Napoleon bronze commands high price in Zurich auction
29 April 2019The biggest surprise at the sale of works of art at Koller (25/22/15% buyer’s premium) in Zurich on March 28 was the result for a bronze figure by Jean Louis Ernest Meissonier (1815-91).
Watch takes inspiration from play that became an opera
29 April 2019The chain of artistic influences that led to the decoration of a gold-enamel watch made by John Kenable of Frith Street in London in c.1800 can be traced back to 1766.
Flintlock pistols marked London hail from the Balkans
29 April 2019The inscription London on the barrels of this pair of 19th century, silver-mounted flintlock pistols is entirely spurious.
Lucie Rie bowl among strong selection of modern British ceramics
29 April 2019Modern British ceramics are rarely offered by German auction houses. Among the notable exceptions is the Kunst & Design Auktionshaus Schops Turowski, based in Krefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia.
Bidders suspect an Italian hand at work
29 April 2019As a rule, Lempertz (24/20% buyer’s premium) in Cologne always opens its spring season with a sale of moderately priced Old Master and 19th century paintings.
Bust stands proud in saleroom
25 March 2019Early 20th century Italian sculpture attracts six-figure result in German auction house.
PREVIEW: Cologne - Auction Team Breker
25 March 2019Contrary to popular opinion, the name of the Rock-Ola company of Chicago, which became famous for the production of distinctive jukeboxes, has no connection to rock ’n’ roll. It is in fact a fortuitous coincidence that the firm’s founder was actually called David Cullen Rockola.
Big money emerges for Hamburg coin
25 March 2019A very rare gold coin took top honours at the auction held by Künker (23% buyer’s premium) in Berlin on January 31.
PREVIEW: Freiburg – Peege
25 March 2019Through his numerous inventions, the Parisian craftsman Julien Leroy (1686-1759) is credited with revitalising the art of clock and watch making in the French capital and throughout the country.
Padlocks secure high prices
25 March 2019Two iron padlocks caught the eye of numerous bidders at the February 28 sale at Wendl (18% buyer’s premium) in Rudolstadt.
PREVIEW: Vienna – Dorotheum
25 March 2019Almost 140 carpets and weaves which illustrate the differing designs of the individual tribes that make up the people of Turkmenistan are to be offered by Dorotheum in Vienna on April 9.
Sigmund Freud portrait to be analysed by Vienna auction bidders
11 February 2019Among the prominent sitters for the Austrian artist Wilhelm Viktor Krausz (1878-1959) was Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis.
Mirror on offer in Stuttgart is looking good in ornate gilt frame
11 February 2019Among the many decorative works of art in Nagel’s sale in Stuttgart on February 27-28 is this 3ft 8in (1.12m) high mirror in an ornately carved gilt frame.
Ron Arad Rover seats roar into Munich saleroom
11 February 2019In the early 1980s the London-based designer Ron Arad experimented with new forms of industrial design, incorporating materials that would otherwise have been discarded.
Thonet furniture takes mixed response at Cologne auction
11 February 2019Comprehensive collection amassed over 30 years attracts very choosy buyers at auction.
Baron Cohen porcelain draws interest in Berlin
07 January 2019Since 1994, the New York businessman Richard Baron Cohen has been a welcome guest at international auctions, fairs and dealers.