International (print edition)

It is safe to say that nowadays the image of a smoking dog would find little favour with animal rights activists or for that matter with the current (for now) UK Prime Minister.

A monumental painting of a fish market soared to unexpected heights at the May 16 auction at Lempertz (26% buyer’s premium) in Cologne.

On May 28 in Bruges, Carlo Bonte (28% buyer’s premium) offered The Hermit, Brother Luce, an oil study attributed to the French late Baroque painter Pierre Hubert Subleyras (1699-1749).

June 2, 1878, began as a normal day in the varied life of the German artist Adolph von Menzel.

This recently discovered example of the iconic Bauhaus tea-infuser, designed by Marianne Brandt in 1924, on offer at Lempertz on May 15 for €200,000, was knocked down to the Hamburg Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe (Museum for Art and Industry) for €260,000 (£222,220).

Moses automaton watch is one of the stand-out hammer highlights in recent sales

If proof were needed that regional British clockmakers were as capable of making impressive works as those of London colleagues, then an 18th century longcase clock being sold by Metz on July 19-20 in Heidelberg without reserve, provides it.

This gold-mounted carnelian intaglio ring depicting classical profiles of Cupid and Psyche embracing is signed in mirror image capitals for Nathaniel Marchant (1739-1816).

A set of 10 plates from a well-documented Sèvres service from the July Monarchy period emerged for sale at Tremont Auctions (27% buyer’s premium) in Sudbury, Massachusetts, on June 2.

A Qing vase later converted to a lamp sailed beyond expectations at an Andrew Jones Collections & Estates sale.

During his lifetime relatively little was written about the work of Albert Cheuret (1884-1966).

Among the most recognisable output of the Meissen factory are the ‘Elements’ ewers, the set of four emblematic of Earth, Air, Water and Fire that were designed by Johann Joachim Kaendler in 1741.

A Chinese export oil showing a Qing emperor at court led a single-owner dispersal at Tremont Auctions (27% buyer’s premium) in Sudbury, Massachusetts, on May 5.

Extensive collection on tennis theme inlcudes early Wimbledon designs and Broders view of Monte Carlo

A lot catalogued simply as a ’French gilt bronze figure of Madonna and Child’ proved the highlight of the Furniture, Art & Asian auction at Clars (28% buyer’s premium) in Oakland, California, on May 17.

This 1890s automaton made by Vichy (France) is known as Pierrot Serenading the Moon and is considered a signature model of the firm.

This large porcelain lamp modelled as an owl perched on the capital of a corinthian column dates from the golden era of the Riessner, Stellmacher & Kessel factory – better known as Amphora.

Impressions of all three of Albrecht Dürer’s (1471-1528) famous Meisterstiche (master engravings) were sold by Grogan & Co (25% buyer's premium) on May 4.

Recently found in Italy, a previously unrecorded portrait of Benjamin Franklin sold at Freeman’s Hindman (27/21/15% buyer's premium) in Philadelphia for $30,000 (£24,000).

The French toymaker Georges Carette (1861-1954) is thought to have learned how to make magic lanterns from the Paris specialist maker August Lapierre.