Old Masters

Painting of a cabinet includes letter fixed to the door with possible mention of Grand Duke Cosimo III

A floral still-life by Ambrosius Bosschaert the Elder, discovered only recently in a European private collection, was one of the stars at a recent sale at Koller (25/22% buyer’s premium) in Zurich.

The top price of the recent sale of the Philip Astley-Jones collection came for a portrait with a strong Indian connection.

The biblical story of Susanna and the Elders, also known as Susanna Bathing, has inspired artists throughout the centuries, among them Jan Lievens who painted this version in c.1630.

String of portraits offered by south London auction house included sketch of the 12-year-old musical prodigy

Swedish civil engineer and army officer with great understanding bought the best impressions available

This early 18th century portrait by Thomas Gibson (1680-1751) shows Lady Bridget Poulett (1702-73) in her prime.

Two very different works offered in Oxford now have new owners from Australia and continental Europe

A work catalogued as “an 18th-century French School portrait of a gentleman” went for Can$32,000 (£17,180) at a Montreal sale, well above its broad guide of Can$1000-2000.

A curious unsigned oil on linen soared past its $800- 1200 guide to achieve $7000 (£5400) at Thomaston Place Auction Galleries (25% buyer’s premium) in Maine.

A major consignment of Old Masters is coming up at Sotheby’s New York which the auction house said is poised to break the record for any singleowner sale in this category.