Bonhams

Auctions of Chinese export porcelain have regularly featured in the New York schedule in January for many years, running alongside the traditional string of Americana sales and the long-running Winter Show.

The owner of auction house Bonhams is reported to be investigating the viability of selling the firm for around $1bn.

The unexpected but very welcome increase in demand that the market experienced amid Covid lockdowns continued in 2022 as restrictions eased – and auction houses are optimistic about another strong performance this year

With the ivory versions now heavily restricted, a New York auction provided a test of the current market

Allen Jones (b.1937) is regarded as one of the pioneers of early British pop art.

The term ‘pop art’ normally conjures up images of colourful and ‘hip’ artworks from the 1950s-60s.

What is very probably a new record for the Nymphenburg porcelain factory was set at the 500 Years of European Ceramics sale at Bonhams (27.5/25% buyer’s premium) on December 7.

One of the most interesting pictures sold at the latest series of Old Master sales in London was an interior scene by David Teniers the Younger (1610-90).

On January 24 Bonhams in New York will offer a single owner-sale of more than 150 lots of Chinese export porcelain from the renowned specialist dealer in the field, Cohen & Cohen.

Among a wealth of English furniture consigned from a Wiltshire country house the outstanding items were a George I japanned bureau-cabinet and a pair of George III carved giltwood girandoles.

A round-up of art and antiques news from the previous seven days, including an 18th century Kyoto carving setting an auction record at Bonhams for any netsuke.

“We have been to the Pole and we shall die like gentlemen.”

Bonhams New York (27.5/26/20/14.5% buyer’s premium) had bidders hooked by the angling books included in its wide-ranging November 15 auction.

While Ascot Gold Cups are not uncommon, the sight of two heading down the home straight to a rostrum finish on the same day was definitely rare.

Female artist at centre of early British Surrealism scene now fetches sizeable sums

The latest series of Old Master sales in London put in a decent if not stellar performance, aided by one or two notable lots and a couple of important collections coming forward to the auction block this season.