London

According to the memoir Le Mémorial de Sainte- Hélène by Count Emmanuel de Las Cases published in 1823, Napoleon first expressed an interest to learn the English language during the two-month voyage from Europe to the island in 1815 aboard the Northumberland.

Made from fired clay, this 12in (30cm) high bust head of a bodhisattva comes from a little explored group of sculptures found at Hund, a small township on the ancient site of Udabhandapura in Pakistan, once the capital of the Hindu Shahi kingdom.

Hummingbirds collect nectar against a colourful flora and fauna backdrop in this large 3ft (91cm) square oil on canvas, painted earlier this year by Sri Lankan artist Senaka Senanayake (b.1951).

One of Persian scholar Imam Ghazali’s (1058-1111AD) best-known works, Kimiya-yi Sa’ādat (The Alchemy of Happiness), was compiled late in his lifetime during a period of unrest between Sufi mystics and Islamic scholars – the former accused of overphilosophising Islam and neglecting the importance of ritual practices.

The Books and Works on Paper sale at Chiswick Auctions on November 9 includes a rather special copy of Sir William Gell and John P Gandy’s The Topography, Edifices, and Ornaments of Pompeii.

Antiquities specialist Charles Ede is celebrating its 50th anniversary with an exhibition and catalogue championing the understated elegance of Greek black glaze pottery.

Depicting sinewy limbed bearers relaxing beside a mahannah, this work 'Palanquin Bearers at Rest' by George Chinnery (1774-1852) is considered the largest and most accomplished figure drawing of the artist’s long career.

This late 16th or early 17th century portrait depicts the Hurrem Sultan Roxelana (1502-58), the legendary wife of the longest reigning Ottoman Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent (r.1520- 66). She became the most powerful and influential woman in Ottoman history.

Asian Art in London: Indian & Islamic Art takes place from October 21-30.

A couple of eastern European pictures were among the top-performing works at the Chiswick Auctions (25% buyer’s premium) 19th and 20th Century art sale.

Asian antique jewellery specialist Sue Ollemans offers this Indian pair of early 19th century earrings made in Lucknow.

Roseberys’ sale of Islamic, Indian Art & Antiquities on October 26 includes this large Seljuq bronze incense burner modelled in the form of a bird.

The Cleveland Museum of Art in Ohio has become the third US institution to hold a work by the obscure Dutch artist Michel van Overbeek (fl.1650-1719) after acquiring this small drawing of the Pyramid of Cestius in Rome.

This illuminated initial comes from a late 14th century Book of Hours that carries an estimate of £20,000-30,000 at Forum Auctions on November 25.

A group of sculptures and works of art has been stolen during an overnight raid at central London dealership Tomasso.

Thousands of items are available to buy from dealers online. Here we pick out one that caught our eye this week.

One of the largest selling exhibitions in recent years of 18th century Plymouth and Bristol porcelain is under way at London gallery Albert Amor in Bury Street.

A group of Richmal Crompton’s Just William books that had an appealing family provenance were offered without reserve at Sotheby’s (26/20/13.9% buyer’s premium).

After 18 months, Etc Fairs in London has reinstated its themed fairs – starting with the 'Bloomsbury Photograph Fair' which will run concurrently with the book fair starting on Sunday, October 10.