Fine Chinese Paintings and Modern Asian Art, November 28, Bonhams, Hong Kong

Some 141 paintings by acclaimed Chinese masters and Asian artists go under the hammer in this auction, with top lots occupied by Lin Fengmian’s still-life “Sunflower” (est. £58,000-£82,700) and a late work of Chen Yifei’s – “Boating Under the Bridge”, (est. £66,000-£99,000) – which depicts a dream-like water town scene.

Exceptional Chinese Works of Art from an Important European Collection, November 30, Christie’s, Hong Kong

As part of Christie’s Hong Kong autumn auction, this small sale includes a rare rhinoceros horn pouring waterdropper, estimated at $1.29m-$1.94m, an imperial white jade Makara vase from the same period, expected to fetch $258,000-$387,000, and a fine ivory sceptre ($258,000-$387,000), all from the 17th-18th century.

American Paintings, Drawings Sculpture, December 1, Sotheby’s, New York

Among 19th-century, impressionist, modern and western works by American artists, this sale has four works by George Catlin, including two portraits of the Indian chiefs Black Hawk and One Horn (each estimated at $1m-$1.5m). Modern works include Milton Avery’s “Crucifixon” ($1m-$1.5m) and Edward Hopper’s “Construction in Mexico” ($800,000-$1.2m), both pieces inspired by the artists’ independent travels through Mexico in 1946.

Art Contemporain, December 7-8, Sotheby’s, Paris

Postwar artists headline the evening sale on December 7, including three works from the Art Institute of Chicago: a rare Atlan painting, Germaine Richier’s iconic “Ogre” and an Hourloupe Mask by Jean Dubuffet. May’s edition of the sale broke the record in France for a work by Martial Raysse; this one features his “Espace Zéro” (1963) at €300,000-€400,000. Also on offer is Jean-Michel Basquiat’s abstract “MP” (€700,000-€900,000), while the day sale has works by Nicolas de Staël and Hartung.

Design Masters Design, December 13-14, Phillips de Pury, New York

These back-to-back auctions showcase everything from lamps to Piero Fornasetti’s “Leopard” chest of drawers, listed at $24,000-$28,000 in the Design auction. Highlights include a table and set of chairs by George Nakashima (est $300,000-$400,000) at Design Masters and, in the Design auction, a Wilhelm Hülse coffee service ($15,000-$20,000).