French Christofle vase of the late 19th century with dragonflies on the cover of a Christie's publication

At first glance I thought that Palekh had at last graced the cover of the Christie's catalogue, and I rejoiced. But no, this is a 22-centimetre French vase of the late nineteenth century, with handles of turned and patinated bronze, partly gilded, decorated with dragonflies, insects and pine cones, and signed CHRISTOFLE & Cie. Be that as it may, happy bidding to all

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September digest: archaeological finds, exhibitions, museums, theatre and the Church

In the finale of the Strugatskys' Roadside Picnic, the Golden Ball is told: "Happiness for everybody, free, and let nobody go away unsatisfied!" I do not promise to offend nobody, but the digest really does come free of charge. So, here is the main business of the

Frederic Leighton

Frederic Leighton. “Daedalus and Icarus”, 1869 Daedalus warns his son not to climb too high: the heat of the sun may melt the wax, but Icarus is already gazing into the distance, and the lamentations of a foolish old man interest him not in the least

French Christofle vase of the late 19th century with dragonflies on the cover of a Christie's publication

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September digest: archaeological finds, exhibitions, museums, theatre and the Church

Frederic Leighton

Attempts to resolve the problems of many years of uncontrolled mass migration

Characters from Gogol's "Petersburg Tales" on the pedestal of the monument to Nikolai Gogol on Nikitsky Boulevard, photograph of the 1960s