Latest News Articles by Alex Capon

Earliest known Kiddush cup emerges at Sotheby’s
16 April 2025The oldest known medieval Jewish artefact, a Kiddush cup from the 11th or 12th century, is being offered at Sotheby’s later this year.

Jackie Kennedy sketch flies over estimate at Bonhams
16 April 2025An original artwork by Jackie Kennedy (1929-1994) created just one month before the assassination of her husband, US President John F Kennedy, drew strong demand at a recent Bonhams sale.

Child prodigy Mendelssohn on song in saleroom
14 April 2025String of portraits offered by south London auction house included sketch of the 12-year-old musical prodigy

‘Gem of a painting’ was created by key figure in Tempera Revival
07 April 2025One of the highest prices for a figurative work by Maxwell Ashby Armfield (1881-1972) came at an early spring sale at Plymouth Auction Rooms (20% buyer’s premium).

London sale suggests works by US painter Horton are on the rise
07 April 2025Swiss Alpine scene takes top spot in a family consignment as UK sale reveals considerable demand
Vintage views on the radio
05 April 2025BBC Radio 4’s consumer affairs programme You and Yours featured a special episode about the market for antiques and vintage collectables on March 25.

Heads up for overseas bidders active at Oxford auction
31 March 2025Two very different works offered in Oxford now have new owners from Australia and continental Europe

Thorburn’s kingfisher makes a £14,000 contribution
31 March 2025As readers may recall from previous articles on these pages, when it comes to the works of the great ornithological artist Archibald Thorburn (1860-1935) depictions of game birds tend to be the most commercial subjects.

Rediscovered diary reveals daily life of Bloomsbury Group artist Duncan Grant
31 March 2025The rediscovered 1911 diary of Bloomsbury artist Duncan Grant (1885-1978) drew strong interest after emerging at an auction at Gorringe’s in Lewes, East Sussex.

Lavery beach scene creates waves at Surrey auction
28 March 2025Among a number of works by John Lavery (1856-1941) to emerge on the secondary market recently, a rapidly executed view of the Venice Lido was among those that bought strong competition when it appeared for sale in Farnham, Surrey.

Duncan Grant’s diary sells for 14 times estimate at Gorringe's
27 March 2025The rediscovered diary of Bloomsbury artist Duncan Grant (1885-1978) drew strong interest this week after emerging at an auction at Gorringe's in Lewes, East Sussex.

Windfall for vendor who found George Romney sketch in rubbish skip
26 March 2025A sketch by George Romney (1734-1802) came to a recent auction in south London with a remarkable backstory.

Cartwright’s Corfu scene brings demand in Scottish auction
25 March 2025Among the works on paper attracting interest at the early spring auctions was a 19th century study that emerged at a sale in Dumfries.

Jersey view takes top Blampied spot
24 March 2025Local scenes by the incredibly prolific artist from the Channel Islands are favourites in today’s market

William Nicholson still life sells for five times estimate at Christie’s
21 March 2025Christie’s latest evening sale of Modern British and Irish Art raised a total of £11.3m including premium with all bar one of the 24 lots selling on the night.

Emil Nolde watercolour sells for £29,000 at Halls
20 March 2025A watercolour by the Expressionist painter Emil Nolde (1867-1956) which underwent a year-long authentication process drew a decent competition at Halls this week.

John Constable sketch sells for £320,000 at Tennants
18 March 2025A previously unrecorded John Constable (1776-1837) sketch attracted strong bidding at North Yorkshire saleroom Tennants this weekend.

Rare Kingfisher sighting as Archibald Thorburn watercolour brings demand in Essex auction
18 March 2025As ATG readers may recall from previous articles, when it comes to the works of the great ornithological artist Archibald Thorburn (1860-1935) depictions of game birds tend to be the most commercial subjects.

Collector Cooke’s feast of 20th century works
17 March 2025Thirty-eight lots offered in Bath included a strong array of 20th century works assembled in London

Wartime internee turned art historian in focus
17 March 2025A collection of works owned by German-born art historian Klaus Hinrichsen (1912-2004), a key figure in promoting émigré art in the UK, emerged in the latest specialist Prints & Multiples sale at Roseberys (26% buyer’s premium).