“A very happy occasion” as painting looted by American soldiers returns home

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

Bought since the 80s, the eight Dutch and Flemish paintings include Rembrandt and Sweerts

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

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

Sotheby’s were successful; the National Trust furious

Impressionist and modern sales '96 report

Controversial stately sell-off

The consignor of the piece remains unknown

Rapid advances as new companies model their catalogues and conditions of sale on Western models

Collectors fear the end of British rule in the Territory, but some young dealers see huge opportunities

Picasso, Matisse, Miró and Dalí suggest that great works of art continue to command great prices in changing markets

Former head of Museum of Modern Art and now chairman of Sotheby’s America sees no conflict between museums and the trade

Christie's cancel a London sale and European dealers are flocking to the US to buy and sell

Bacon, Kitaj, Warhol and Richter attract keen competition

Despite being published last year by the International Council of Museums, severed stone heads are circulating in London and New York

Reasonable results, with collectors looking lively

Some of Europe’s oldest collections have recently been broken up: are there many left, and who is buying the books?

Rumours of a Sotheby’s valuation have encouraged talk of auction

Despite lukewarm predictions and no blockbuster items there was increased buyer confidence

Contemporary art sales '94 auction report

Very few bronzes survive from this period, making the piece a remarkable find

Decorative arts no longer the Cinderella

The auction houses bring out six long-held major estates to tempt collectors

Francis Bacon’s “Pope” fetches top price at Sotheby’s

Raphael’s “Madonna of the Pinks” has now been firmly reattributed after cleaning

Legal complexities ensue, with deceit, conspiracy and covert dealing surrounding the treasures history becoming certain

Populist legislation involves no more “chandelier” bids, loans to buyers, or secret reserve

Ruedi Staechelin appointed leadership role