Charles Melchior Descourtis (1753-1820) after Hentzi and Tozelli

Recommended features

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  • Studio visit: Michael S. Smith

    ​​The designer and decorator shows us around his Santa Monica HQ, and enthuses over the forthcoming Rooms as Portraits auctions in London and New York

• • 

  • The tastemaker: Martin Brudnizki

    The world-renowned interior designer selects favourite objects from our forthcoming Interiors sale in London on 13 September

• • 

  • The A-Z of furniture: Terminology to know when buying at auction

    From applique and back splats to veneering and wingbacks, an essential glossary of furniture terms

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  • To gild or not to gild — that is the question

    Artists, patrons and critics have argued for centuries over the right way to frame a painting. Ultimately, it’s a matter of personal taste, says Andrew Graham-Dixon

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  • Antenna: The Beistegui family collecting tradition

    Ahead of our Paris sale on 10 September, Meredith Etherington-Smith salutes three generations of collectors from one family

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  • Collecting guide: Maotai — China’s ‘national liquor’

    ​​What a newcomer needs to know about the highly collectable, grain-based liquor served at all Chinese state banquets​