“At least thirty collectors are spending $200,000-500,000 a year at auction” on this branch of the decorative arts

Of the fifty one books that were stolen, nineteen have been recovered

A new Orientalist star overturns Gérôme; Italo-Swiss Alpine artist fetches $9.5 million and “The big wave” sweeps photography to new heights

Our art market correspondent, Paul Jeromack, describes how he has successfully sold antiques while sitting at his computer

A record-breaking sale and a forthcoming exhibition at Stoke-on-Trent

A true collectors’ market, with almost 100% demand

Dealers come to share in the benefits of no income tax whatsoever

Christie’s, US Customs, a bankrupt dealer, hoards of lawyers, and much time and money played a part in this

Percentage rates are down in many areas for the first half of the season

His record price may bolster the market, but not all artists surpassed expectations

Sales are buoyant in some areas but real estate is weakening and nerves are showing

Twentieth-century decorative arts sales confirm prize prices for iconic furnishinings

François Pinault’s offer is a massive twenty-six times earnings

In market competition between Hong Kong, Shanghai, Taipei and Singapore, Hong Kong still comes top, with Taiwan second

It is presumed that investors prepared to pay an acceptable price could not be found

Experts proved just before last year’s auction in New York that at least six paintings were recent forgeries

The old favourites - Italian views and Dutch landscapes - make record-breaking totals

Top lots go to private collectors, but the Italian State and European dealers put up a fight

Photography sales on a high with prices continuously increasing

Unprecedented alliance between auction house and art and antiques fair

London may be the loser in the end, but the Brits brought it on themselves

A new strategy at Sotheby’s as private collectors’ appetite for sculpture grows

But heavy disappointment for collector Basia Johnson as recently acquired works failed to sell

Too few collectors, and too specialised, to guarantee success even for masterpieces

Christie’s succeeds with the sale of goods recently in the trade and much restored

1996 saw high prices and new records with the Chinese determining the shape and make up of future sales

Auction was an expression of piety, not of the art market

The film star was a serious pioneer collector

With the Shanghai Museum expanding this month, a modern art museum planned for two years hence and a dozen serious commercial galleries likely in 1997