Europe

Philippe Auguste Courvoisier (1803-73), a member of the famed Courvoisier family of Swiss watchmakers, specialised in the production of watches with portraits of 19th century royalty, such as Queen Victoria, Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte or, in the case of watches sold in London and Stuttgart, the Ottoman Sultan Abdulmecid I.

Early November is always a busy time for pocket watch collectors. In the space of a few days, specialist sales are traditionally held in Switzerland and Germany which offer a broad selection of historical watches for all tastes and most budgets.

Our pick of lots from 11 upcoming auctions in Germany, Switzerland and Austria

A round up selling exhibitions and dealer news from the UK and Europe

The books sale at Koller (25% buyer’s premium) in Zurich on September 17 was topped at SwFr250,000 (£237,250) by a first edition of the book Einstein described as “perhaps the greatest intellectual stride that it has ever been granted to any man to make”.

This late Victorian diamond tiara set with old mine, old European and old cut diamonds comes for sale at Adam’s in Dublin on December 2 by descent from Dermot Chichester, 7th Marquess of Donegall (1916-2007).

A round-up of art and antiques news from the previous seven days, including a Ferdinand III (1608-57) 100 ducat gold making a record sum

I am a Dutch historian working on a biography of the Belgian nobleman Arthur Baron de Woelmont (1826-1911).

In the 16th century, so-called double mazer goblets were highly treasured works of art.

Early evidence suggests uncertainty is a major obstacle for the market

For many decades, the collection of the German industrialist Walter Bauer, who died in 1968, has been hidden from public view.

From the mid-18th century onwards, members of the Courvoisier family belonged to the most important and innovative watchmakers in Switzerland.

Around 1900, the majority of women employed in the ceramic industry worked solely in the decoration department, more often than not as painters.