ART

Another example of the buying frenzy in the art world: the black bowler of Belgian Surrealist painter Rene Magritte sold for $26,000 at a Sotheby’s auction in London. Other Magritte paraphernalia sold for high sums, including his easel, work table, paint boxes and palette, which sold in one lot for nearly $80,000; and three empty wine bottles painted by Magritte, which fetched a total of $327,000. Oh, yes, there was also a painting up for bidding--it was sold to London art dealer Leslie Waddington for nearly $500,000.