International (print edition)

Erik Weisz (1864-1926) launched his monumental career as the illusionist Harry Houdini in 1891 as a specialist in card tricks.

A late but textbook bronze by Henry Moore (1898-1986) sold for $75,000 (£59,000) at a 145-lot sale held in New York by Auctions at Showplace (25% buyer’s premium).

Gambling today - particularly card playing - is a largely sanitised affair, occurring in luxurious settings under strict observation in town centre casinos.

Jewellery dating to c.1960 was once owned by well-known women in New York and Palm Beach

Initially conceived of and worn by Madame de Montespan, Louis XIV’s most prominent mistress, to conceal her pregnancies, the robe à la française or sack-back dress became a dominant form of fashion in the mid- to late-18th century.

Top Meissen pieces amassed by US buyer attract interest worldwide but many will stay in Germany

A bronze vase by the Parisian goldsmith Lucien Gaillard caused a stir at Dobiaschofsky (25% buyer’s premium) in Bern.

Classic Art Deco designs from a prime period for collectors capture the spirit and style of the period

A small collection of Hester Bateman silver appeared Stateside at Lewis & Grant (25% buyer’s premium) in Newport, Kentucky.

Sculptor Naum Kongiser (1904-84) created the propaganda figure Radio for the Village for the State Porcelain Manufactory in 1927.

The semi-precious stones adorning the hilts and scabbards of many of the best Ottoman swords held talismanic significance.

A Gorham Martelé covered silver tankard hammered for $7500 (£5875) at Grogan & Company (25% buyer’s premium) in Boston at its September 26 Silver and Decorative Arts sale. It was estimated at $2000-3000.

A familiar and important piece of Scottish silver appeared at Waddington’s (25/22% buyer’s premium) auction in Toronto on November 7.

Pair of religious panels used as altar sell on low estimate but still result in auction record for the artist

Two rare artefacts from the ancient Cham people of Vietnam went way above the odds at Zacke (25% buyer’s premium) in Vienna in the auction of October 17-18.

The 200th auction at specialist clock and watch saleroom Klöter’s (23% buyer’s premium) in Grafenau contained almost 950 timekeepers from all eras.

At Van Ham (27% buyer’s premium) in Cologne on November 12, the auctioneers were overwhelmed with bids when an early 20th century plaster copy of an iconic ancient Egyptian bust came up for sale with a guide of €6000.

Auction house Wendl (21% buyer’s premium) in Rudolstadt found fierce international interest for an early 19th century plate from the manufacture in Sèvres.

This late 19th century silver mounted ceramic dish or coupe came up at the Belgian firm CR-Art Auctions (25% buyer’s premium) when it was bid to €7000 (£5835) against a guide of €2000-3000.