It’s business as usual, but not as we know it.

Des O’Sullivan previews London’s major February auctions.

An auction that will turn a global spotlight on Ireland is one to look out for this year, says Des O’Sullivan.

Your columnist is no art expert, though he likes recycling his favourite line of criticism occasionally. (When the King of France viewed Géricault’s painting The Raft of the Medusa, he remarked: “M. Géricault, your shipwreck is no disaster.” Kudos to anyone who can mail me the name of the band which used Géricault’s painting on an album cover.)

Millions of euro of Irish art will change hands in coming weeks, with prices to suit everyone, writes Des O’Sullivan.

Des O’Sullivan gives a preview of the Irish selection on offer at two sales in Dublin

The national broadcaster is selling off two artworks by Louis Le Brocquy, 'Táin' and 'The Massing of the Armies' which were commissioned by RTÉ.

This 300-year-old Qing dynasty vase made of glass is set to shatter records at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong.

Des O’Sullivan lauds a celebration of refugees’ cultural contribution.

The owner of a 5,200-acre country estate who said he wanted to "downsize" by buying an abandoned manor house with 230 acres and do it up has failed in High Court application to force the completion of a €1.37m purchase deal.

Christie’s and Sotheby’s are in the frame for a series of important sales, says Des O’Sullivan

The auction house is to be commended, writes Des O’Sullivan.

Des O’Sullivan previews major sales of classic and modern art in London and Dublin.

A bag used by astronaut Neil Armstrong to bring the first samples of moon dust back to Earth has been sold for around €1.45m.

Alcoholics Anonymous is demanding the return of its 1939 original manuscript describing the Twelve Step programme of recovery from addiction.

Des O’Sullivan on an important and historic sale of primary sources for the Irish revolutionary period. 

Sotheby’s is an important springboard to showcase Irish art like The Disasters of War says Des O’Sullivan.

A blue diamond set a record price for any jewel in auction when it went under the hammer for $58m (€52m) in a Christie’s sale in Geneva.

An optimistic Francis Bacon double self portrait will lead Sotheby’s sale of contemporary art in New York next Wednesday evening.

Good afternoon. Here’s all the news you need to know this lunchtime.

BRITAIN: Ducks have been ditching bread for a cleaner diet after the public was asked to ban the breadcrumbs.

Viewing at Keighery’s

The Irish artist created an intriguing story about paintings of his lover Yvonne Aubicq, writes Des O’Sullivan.

IT’S AUCTION season — time to bag a bargain — if you have a few million to spare that is.

A Westmeath man has given an undertaking at the High Court not to dissipate any funds connected with the estate of his late mother, said to include a valuable Wedgwood fruit bowl which was part of a dinner service specially commissioned by Queen Victoria.

A valuable Wedgwood bowl, part of a dinner service specially commissioned by Queen Victoria, is at the centre of a High Court row.

CONVENT SALE

Strands of hair belonging to two master composers are expected to fetch at least £12,000 (€16,000) when they go under the hammer.

A painting Vincent van Gogh created while briefly working side-by-side with his friend Paul Gauguin in the south of France has brought in $66.3m (€59m) at auction.

THE 20th century’s ill-fated ocean liners keep emerging as fragments on the antiques market. In the last few decades serious collectors have amassed some rare objects from infamous shipwrecks.

The Sunrise Ruby, a “pigeon’s blood” hued stone in a ring mounted by Cartier at Sotheby’s, Geneva on May 12 ($12-18 million)

Carol O’Callaghan says take a confident approach to styling this season.

ENGLAND: A monument chronicling 124 years of England’s footballing hurt by listing every defeat suffered by the team between 1874 and 1998 has sold at auction for £425,000 (€600,000).

Des O’Sullivan reports on a remarkable week at Ireland’s top auctions.

The largest “perfect” diamond to ever be auctioned has touched down in London ahead of its predicted $25m (€22m) sale in New York this spring.

Ireland’s great houses have a habit of throwing up the odd spectacular piece, writes Des O’Sulivan.

ANTIQUES FAIRS

USA: A man faked a heart attack inside a Wal-Mart store in Florida so his friend could steal toys.

A group of American rocket enthusiasts may be potty but they ended up flushed with success after launching a portable toilet.