Auction

A magnificent painting of Venice by Francesco Guardi from the end of the eighteenth century goes under the hammer. But will it fetch between eight and ten million pounds, as estimated? There’s frenzied interest as a Bentley which once belonged to the Beatles’ manager is sold at a classic car auction in London. And the eccentric collection of the late Stanley J Seeger is auctioned.

Impressionist and Modern paintings are up for sale in London, among them Nympheas by Claude Monet. It’s one of many images of the waterlilies from his garden at Giverny and Sotheby’s are hoping for £20 to £30 million. Elsewhere in London, pieces by the French glass maker Rene Lalique have come to the market. And in Stockholm they’re selling twentieth century Danish furniture.

In London, an ornate gilt-bronze mirror designed by the sculptor Carrier-Belleuse is the star of a sale called ‘The Opulent Eye’. But will its magnificent opulence be reflected in the price? Elsewhere, a rare vintage traction engine goes under the hammer. But can it really be worth £100,000? And photographs by the late Elsbeth Juda, a window on the world of 1950s fashion, are auctioned off.

George Stubbs was renowned as a master painter of horses. But it’s his portrayal of ‘Tygers at Play’ that is dominating an Old Masters sale in London. Elsewhere in the city, the maritime specialist Charles Miller is selling a very rare sixteenth-century aid to navigation. And, in Paris, it’s the design classics of the early twentieth century that are attracting bidders.

There’s high drama in the saleroom at Christie’s as a mystery buyer pays nearly £14 million for an abstract work from 1920. Elsewhere, a souvenir photo album from the building of the Royal yacht Britannia provokes interest from both ship and royal collectors. And a collection of bucolic Victorian paintings that shows a green and pleasant land comes up for sale.

The Duke of Northumberland has decided to do a little spring cleaning and sends some of his best furniture to auction at Sotheby’s in London. But will the bidders be impressed? In Stockholm, they’re selling one of Andy Warhol’s last works which generates huge interest. And the French Impressionists come under the hammer at Christie’s.

In Paris, the work of the Japanese artist and designer Shiro Kuramata has come to auction at Christie’s, including a chair that he set on fire. But how much could something like this be worth? In rural England, they’re selling vintage tractors to eager bidders and in London classic photographs that show post-war Britain come under the hammer at Sotheby’s.

In London, British and Irish art is attracting a lot of interest. So are the family heirlooms of Lord Raglan, the Duke of Wellington’s right-hand man. They include rare, historical mementoes of everything from the Peninsular War to the Charge of the Light Brigade. And in Sussex, Bellman’s are selling furniture at very reasonable prices.

The ancient world comes to London as a sale of rare antiquities takes place at Christie’s. Elsewhere, Coy’s are selling an immaculate Aston Martin DB5, the type driven by James Bond. But will the petrolheads be willing to pay the extravagant price? And, in Paris, buyers are queuing up to own a piece of unique twentieth century design.

The work of twentieth-century Fauvist artist Kees van Dongen comes up for sale in London. It portrays the fashionable resorts of Normandy from a hundred years ago. But will the buyers be willing to pay the price? In Sussex, Chinese bidders are arriving by the taxi-load to snap up some magnificent Asian art. And, in Stockholm, Swedish art reaches record prices.