Latest News Articles by Jonathan Franks
On a wing and a prayer at a Swiss saleroom
26 February 2024One of the earliest pieces in the auction of works of art at Koller in Zürich on March 21 is a copper and enamel figure of a dove.
Gallé’s special bowl could sell for a special price
26 February 2024In 1903, only one year before his death, Emile Gallé was commissioned by the Belgian company Solvay et Cie with the creation of a bowl to mark the 30th anniversary of its factory in Dombasle.
Fuseli fantasies on offer in Basel saleroom
26 February 2024Paintings by the Anglo-Swiss artist Henry Fuseli, who was born in 1741 as Johann Heinrich Füssli, seldom make it to auction.
Stand-out silver to look out for in upcoming auctions
26 February 2024A selection of previews from three British sales and another in Germany
Meissen vases produced by the workshop's top designer sell for nine times estimate
26 February 2024Among the technically most complex pieces ever created in the porcelain manufacture in Meissen were the so-called 'Schneeballen-Vasen' (snowball vases).
Italian design takes centre stage in German auction
26 February 2024Italian design is in the spotlight at Quittenbaum in Munich on March 19.
Beautiful Quran bought for nearly £300,000 at Swiss auction
08 January 2024The extensive auctions at Schuler (23/20/16% buyer’s premium) in Zürich always contain at least one truly spectacular result and the latest three-day sale was no exception.
Figure that escaped destruction after use
08 January 2024Malagan figures played an integral and complex role in the rituals of the tribes of New Ireland, the north-eastern province of Papua New Guinea.
Carpets galore in a German saleroom
08 January 2024A German collector consigned 28 carpets for the November 25 sale at Rippon Boswell (25% buyer’s premium) in Wiesbaden.
Belgian sculptor Minne much in demand at German auctions
08 January 2024The work of Belgian artist celebrated in his day is coveted by modern collectors judging by latest sales.
Dagobert Peche chandelier proves leading light at auction
08 January 2024Only a few months after several ornamental pieces of silver by the Viennese designer Dagobert Peche, one of the leading lights of the Wiener Werkstätte, caused a sensation in Düsseldorf (ATG No 2613, the auction house Kinsky (28% buyer’s premium) achieved an impressive result for a work by him.
High price despite Pechstein postponement
08 January 2024The decision by Cologne auction house Lempertz (26% buyer’s premium) to postpone the sale of Max Pechstein’s 1909 Expressionist work Selbstbildnis, liegend (Self Portrait, lying down) from June to December 1 proved to be a wise one.
Beastly netsuke nets five figures at German auction
08 January 2024While auction prices for works of art from Japan can scarcely compete with those achieved for pieces from China, the sale at Hargesheimer (28% buyer’s premium) in Düsseldorf on November 30 showed that there is still a healthy market for netsuke.
Servant portrait shows respect
18 December 2023When it was last on public view, at a Berlin exhibition in 1981, the Portrait of a Black Courtier was attributed to the early 18th century Prussian court painter Antoine Pesne.
Prince’s driving passion for railway building
18 December 2023By all accounts, the Bulgarian prince and later Tsar Ferdinand I was a passionate railway enthusiast.
Leonardo copy rocks up in Vienna
18 December 2023Plenty of potential takers emerged for an early copy of Leonardo’s 'Madonna of the Rocks' at the Dorotheum (25/20.84% buyer’s premium) sale of Old Masters.
Story behind mother of Salome once attributed to Rubens
18 December 2023Once believed to be by Rubens, work hidden away during the war is now thought to be a copy by a pupil
Pocket chronometer was Breguet built, Humboldt owned
18 December 2023The combination of a pre-eminent maker and a perfect provenance made a late 18th century pocket chronometer one of the most sought-after pieces at Dr Crott (25% buyer’s premium) in Mannheim on November 18.
The Sale sells at shock €70,000
18 December 2023The biggest surprise of Wendl’s (21% buyer’s premium) extensive general sale in Rudolstadt on October 25-28 was the seemingly never-ending exchange of bids for an early 18th century Old Master which had a starting price of €900.
Tempting connection to Turner
18 December 2023A private collector in London had his work cut out to secure a painting on offer for €2000-3000 at Nagel (29.5% buyer’s premium) in Stuttgart.