Auctioneers

Exceptional examples of the glyphic arts – the apotheosis of jewellery collecting during the Grand Tour era – are rising high in the saleroom once more.

Two private collections of the work of John Donald (b.1928) enjoyed a clean sweep at auctions in recent weeks.

Edinburgh auction offered 1592 book from first European press dedicated to such a typeface.

At 2ft 5in (73cm), this Blanc de Chine figure of Guanyin on sale at Lempertz in Cologne on December 15 is unusually large.

This Cambodian Khmer carved stone statue of a male divinity is one of the highlights of the Asian Art sale at Christie’s in Paris on December 10.

Twenty lots from a private Sydney collection will open the sale devoted to Chinese Paintings to be held by Bonhams on December 2 in Sydney.

Lempertz in Cologne is selling 23 paintings from the collection put together by the aviation entrepreneur Hinrich Bischoff and his wife, Ingrid.

The economic crisis of the Great Depression inspired a vogue for many versatile jewels, particularly clip brooches that could be worn on lapels, hat trims and the latest hairstyles.

A painting from the workshop of Peter Paul Rubens making its second appearance at Dorotheum (28/25/22/18% buyer’s premium) in the space of a decade was the best-seller in the November 10 Old Masters auction in Vienna.

This small 14th century Yuan dynasty longquan celadon jar moulded with peonies, a dragon chasing a pearl and with five-point stars will feature in the December 11 sale of Fine and Decorative Asian Art at Heritage in Dallas.

One section of the Asian art sale at Koller in Zurich on December 3, with its own catalogue, is devoted to a private collection of Chinese ink drawings.

A painting by the celebrated landscape painter Joseph Vernet (1714-89) depicting Tivoli near Rome which has not been seen since the 19th century is making an appearance in Sotheby’s Paris rooms on December 3.

One of the highlights of Sotheby’s Asian works of art sale in Paris on December 11 will be this jade, zitan and boxwood panel from the Qianlong period.

Gifts from Queen Victoria to two of her god-daughters garnered international attention at Cheffins (22.5% buyer’s premium) in Cambridge.

This painting by Le Pho (1907-2001) will be one of the highlights of the Asian works of Art sale to be held by Tajan on December 7 in Paris.

The highest price to date at Parker Fine Art Auctions (25% buyer’s premium) came at its latest Fine Paintings sale when a rare ornithological watercolour caught the eye of a number of bidders, including from abroad.

Offered with moderate estimates, two Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) etchings from the Vollard Suite drew demand at the recent timed online sale of Modern & Contemporary art at Halls (20% buyer’s premium).

Top lot in a golfing sale at PBA Galleries (20/15% buyer’s premium) was a 1927 first of Down the Fairway: The Golf Life and Play of Robert T Jones, Jr.

The distinctive Antipodean ‘botanical’ jewellery of the gold rush era is among the first to depict the native flora and fauna. It is of huge cultural significance to Australia and its mining heritage.

This curious object is the forerunner of a million Christmas cracker prizes. Made in gold and silver, c.1830, the ‘ring’ chased with flowers includes a tiny pin hole which allows a jet of water to be squirted into the face of an unsuspecting admirer via a syringe-like plunger that can be concealed in the palm.