Europe

TEFAF Maastricht achieves many stand-out results but the reduced run time receives a mixed response

On February 27 the world’s oldest auction house celebrated 350 years in business.

Art and antiques trade associations have stepped up their campaign to “dilute the worst effects” of the incoming EU import licensing regulation which comes into force next summer.

Two titled topographical views by a journeyman 18th century Venetian artist excelled at the Old Masters and 19th Century Paintings sale at Wannenes (35% buyer’s premium) in Genoa.

This 18th century pastel on paper portrait showing a young friar has many hallmarks of the work of the Venetian painter Rosalba Carriera (1675-1757).

In 1902, while visiting stands at the Esposizione Internationale d’Arte Decorativa Moderna in Turin, the Queen of Italy congratulated Carlo Bugatti on his ‘Moresque’ style of furniture. He reportedly replied, “You are mistaken, majesty, this style is mine!”

Raymond and Suzanne Fischoff-La Foux were a Parisian society couple.

Further high-ticket sales from this year’s TEFAF Maastricht have been announced.

An early 18th century, Qing Dynasty, Chinese blue and white painted porcelain charger caused the biggest surprise at the March 2 sale held by Kendzia (16% buyer’s premium) in Hamburg.

Rediscovered work inspired by Goethe emerges at auction in Germany

Driven by the demand from the numerous Grand Tourists who visited the Italian capital in the 19th century, Roman craftsmen revived and adapted the ancient technique of mosaics to produce works of art that would appeal to their international clientele.

In 1959, some two years after the German painter Otto Piene founded the ZERO group of artists together with his colleague Heinz Mack, he began producing his so-called 'Rauchbilder' (Smoke Paintings).

In 1926, after two years of negotiations, two German automobile producers joined forces to become Mercedes-Benz.

Early on in his career, which spanned most of the 19th century, Johann Wilhelm Preyer decided to paint only still-lifes. He studied at the academy in Düsseldorf and was one of the leading lights in what was to become the Düsseldorf School of painters.

In the latter half of the 19th century and the first decades of the 20th century, there were over 250 companies in Great Britain producing bamboo furniture.