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Terrorism, war, Foot and Mouth, recession – 2001 was not an easy year for the antiques market, but with one or two notable exceptions the big firms of provincial auctioneers not only weathered these difficulties but increased their sales turnover last year, according to annual figures released last week.

“Fascism, charged with Idealistic values, is applauded by all of those who are legitimately able to call themselves Italian poets, novelists and painters. We are sure that in Mussolini we have the Man who will know how to value correctly the force of our Art dominating the world.”

SOTHEBY’S have given the autograph documentation and picture, right, a hefty estimate of €500,000-750,000 for a very good reason: the picture is now thought to be the earliest image made by photographic means.

Tiaras: A History of Splendour by Geoffrey C. Munn, published by the Antique Collectors’ Club. ISBN 1851493751 £45 hb

The Jeweled Menagerie: the World of Animals in Gems by Suzanne Tennenbaum and Janet Zapata, published by Thames & Hudson. ISBN 0500510490 £30hb

PARIS: A prestige series of auctions held by Tajan at the Hôtel George V just before Christmas (December 17-19) yielded just under £7m hammer.

Villa Bombrini Sale: TWO days before their main mixed owner European furniture sale, Christie’s also offered a separate single owner auction – Furniture and Works of Art removed from Villa Bombrini, ‘Il Paradiso’, Genoa – on December 11. Just over 300 lots were offered, of which three quarters found buyers – selling to the tune of £1,134,280.