Latest News Articles by Alex Capon
Buyers’ fees rise at Christie’s as auction house increases premium thresholds
07 September 2016Christie’s have adjusted their buyer’s premium thresholds, bringing them closer into line but not identical to the rates at rivals Sotheby’s.
Ex-Phillips specialist joins Sotheby’s Contemporary art department in London
06 September 2016Martin Klosterfelde, a former Berlin-based contemporary art specialist and director at Phillips, has joined Sotheby’s.
Paddle8 and Auctionata appoint new CEO
05 September 2016Online auction firms Paddle8 and Auctionata have appointed a former Sony boss as their new chief executive officer.
‘Outsourcing’ of hallmarks: the trade view
02 September 2016Opposition to the ‘outsourcing’ of UK hallmarks overseas is gathering momentum in the trade. Campaigners say the use of British hallmarks in India threatens a 700-year-old system for stamping precious metals.
Silver vase takes a spectacular £23,000 at auction of dealer’s collection in Bath
31 August 2016The auction of a well-known antiques dealers’ collection generated strong interest in Bath yesterday. The mixed consignment of 356 lots drew competitive bidding throughout but the eyecatching result came for an Indian work of art that went dramatically over estimate.
Benjamin Franklin’s ceremonial sword comes to auction at Christie’s New York
31 August 2016A sword owned by Benjamin Franklin will be offered at an upcoming Christie’s sale in New York, estimated at $200,000-300,000.
Backlash from silver and jewellery trade over ‘offshore’ hallmarking
24 August 2016A group of British silversmiths, jewellery retailers and manufacturers has launched a campaign against the ‘outsourcing’ of UK hallmarks overseas.
New attributions for Brian Sewell’s Old Master drawings at Christie’s
24 August 2016A series of Old Master drawings from the collection of Brian Sewell have had their attributions upgraded in advance of the auction of the late art critic’s collection in London next month. They include two long-unattributed works that have now been ascribed to named 16th century Italian artists.
Cubism at Chicago auction: Fernand Léger works predicted to fetch $2m
22 August 2016Two Cubist works by Fernand Léger (1881-1955) lead a potentially lucrative line-up of pictures at Chicago saleroom Leslie Hindman’s auction next month.
Police appeal for information following silver theft from Gloucestershire church
19 August 2016Police are appealing for help following the theft of £10,000 worth of silver from a church in Blockley, near Moreton-in-Marsh in Gloucestershire.
Judge rules in museum’s favour over long-running Nazi-looted art claim
18 August 2016The heir of the Dutch art dealer Jacques Goudstikker is planning to appeal against a court ruling over the ownership of a pair of works by Lucas Cranach the Elder.
René Lalique motoring mascots head single-owner sale at Bonhams
17 August 2016A collection of motoring mascots formed by Robert White, a leading UK camera retailer, will be offered at Bonhams next month. Offered in single-owner sale in London on September 19, the consignments include 37 examples by René Lalique.
Major coin show set to kick off in Hong Kong
17 August 2016Over 100 exhibitors have signed up for the inaugural Hong Kong Coin Show which opens on Friday, making it one of the largest numismatic shows of the year in Asia.
Tate takes ownership of Joshua Reynolds portrait from Castle Howard
16 August 2016The Tate has acquired a major portrait by Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792) from Castle Howard in North Yorkshire after it was accepted in lieu of inheritance tax.
Ivory statuettes blocked from export… but will they be saved for the nation?
15 August 2016The government has imposed an export bar on two ivory statuettes by Balthasar Permoser (1651-1732), allowing UK buyers the opportunity to match the £1.8m price before they leave the country.
‘Irreplaceable’ Tudor stained glass stolen from Leicestershire chapel
12 August 2016A Tudor stained glass panel attributed to Galeon Hone, glazier to King Henry VIII, has been stolen from the 16th-century Withcote Chapel, near Market Harborough in Leicestershire.
Fellows move to larger London offices and expand their team
12 August 2016Fellows are moving their London office from Queen Street to Hill Street, just off Berkeley Square.
COMMENT – industry split over Advertising Standards Authority probe into auction pricing
12 August 2016The art and antiques trade has reacted with mixed views over the launch of an investigation into the way auction houses display their commission rates. A number of dealers have told ATG that an investigation into transparency of buyer’s premium is long overdue, while auctioneers have pointed out that the proposed changes would be unnecessary and impractical.
South African art specialists launch new auction firm in Johannesburg
11 August 2016A new auction house has been set up in South Africa. Aspire Art Auctions will hold their inaugural sale in Johannesburg on October 31.
Hackney brings in the money – early Lawrence Gowing view of London takes record £40,000
10 August 2016A record price for a work by Sir Lawrence Gowing (1918-1991) came at the latest fine art sale held by Brightwells of Leominster.