Latest News Articles by Jonathan Franks
Gallé’s special bowl could sell for a special price
26 February 2024In 1903, only one year before his death, Emile Gallé was commissioned by the Belgian company Solvay et Cie with the creation of a bowl to mark the 30th anniversary of its factory in Dombasle.
Stand-out silver to look out for in upcoming auctions
26 February 2024A selection of previews from three British sales and another in Germany
On a wing and a prayer at a Swiss saleroom
26 February 2024One of the earliest pieces in the auction of works of art at Koller in Zürich on March 21 is a copper and enamel figure of a dove.
Italian design takes centre stage in German auction
26 February 2024Italian design is in the spotlight at Quittenbaum in Munich on March 19.
Fuseli fantasies on offer in Basel saleroom
26 February 2024Paintings by the Anglo-Swiss artist Henry Fuseli, who was born in 1741 as Johann Heinrich Füssli, seldom make it to auction.
Artist Kuhnert’s natural approach included shooting his animal subjects
26 February 2024Many late 19th and early 20th century art collectors were entranced by Wilhelm Kuhnert’s (1865-1926) realistic portrayals of exotic animals in the wild.
Tribal mask with mystery purpose
26 February 2024Cologne auction house Lempertz (25% buyer’s premium) opened its auction year with a sale of African and Oceanic works of art in Brussels.
Desperate dash for a proof coin to seal royal approval before king's death
26 February 2024Soon after the Italian coin engraver Benedetto Pistrucci moved to England in 1815, he received a prestigious task from William Wellesley-Pole, the Master of the Mint. He was commissioned with the creation of a series of new gold coins for George III.
Meissen vases produced by the workshop's top designer sell for nine times estimate
26 February 2024Among the technically most complex pieces ever created in the porcelain manufacture in Meissen were the so-called 'Schneeballen-Vasen' (snowball vases).
Beautiful Quran bought for nearly £300,000 at Swiss auction
08 January 2024The extensive auctions at Schuler (23/20/16% buyer’s premium) in Zürich always contain at least one truly spectacular result and the latest three-day sale was no exception.
Belgian sculptor Minne much in demand at German auctions
08 January 2024The work of Belgian artist celebrated in his day is coveted by modern collectors judging by latest sales.
Figure that escaped destruction after use
08 January 2024Malagan figures played an integral and complex role in the rituals of the tribes of New Ireland, the north-eastern province of Papua New Guinea.
Dagobert Peche chandelier proves leading light at auction
08 January 2024Only a few months after several ornamental pieces of silver by the Viennese designer Dagobert Peche, one of the leading lights of the Wiener Werkstätte, caused a sensation in Düsseldorf (ATG No 2613, the auction house Kinsky (28% buyer’s premium) achieved an impressive result for a work by him.
High price despite Pechstein postponement
08 January 2024The decision by Cologne auction house Lempertz (26% buyer’s premium) to postpone the sale of Max Pechstein’s 1909 Expressionist work Selbstbildnis, liegend (Self Portrait, lying down) from June to December 1 proved to be a wise one.
Carpets galore in a German saleroom
08 January 2024A German collector consigned 28 carpets for the November 25 sale at Rippon Boswell (25% buyer’s premium) in Wiesbaden.
Beastly netsuke nets five figures at German auction
08 January 2024While auction prices for works of art from Japan can scarcely compete with those achieved for pieces from China, the sale at Hargesheimer (28% buyer’s premium) in Düsseldorf on November 30 showed that there is still a healthy market for netsuke.
Pocket chronometer was Breguet built, Humboldt owned
18 December 2023The combination of a pre-eminent maker and a perfect provenance made a late 18th century pocket chronometer one of the most sought-after pieces at Dr Crott (25% buyer’s premium) in Mannheim on November 18.
Prince’s driving passion for railway building
18 December 2023By all accounts, the Bulgarian prince and later Tsar Ferdinand I was a passionate railway enthusiast.
Tempting connection to Turner
18 December 2023A private collector in London had his work cut out to secure a painting on offer for €2000-3000 at Nagel (29.5% buyer’s premium) in Stuttgart.
Servant portrait shows respect
18 December 2023When it was last on public view, at a Berlin exhibition in 1981, the Portrait of a Black Courtier was attributed to the early 18th century Prussian court painter Antoine Pesne.