Latest News Articles by Laura Chesters
Pick of the Week: Microscope looks good at £88,000
07 May 2018A rare 18th century variable microscope by eminent instrument maker George Adams sold for £88,000 at specialist science and early technology auctioneer Flints (20% + VAT buyer’s premium).
Sotheby’s reports 19% jump in turnover after private sales and Hong Kong auctions boost
04 May 2018Auction house Sotheby’s has reported a 70% jump in private sales in the first three months of 2018 to $247m (£182m).
Surge in demand for art-secured loans as access to finance for art and antiques dealers remains poor
04 May 2018Nearly 90% of art and antiques dealers want easier ways to borrow money to fund purchases and nearly a third believe the lack of available lending hampers growth, according to a recent report.
British Museum launches Egyptian antiquities database to track looted artefacts
04 May 2018A database of Egyptian and Nubian antiquities has been launched by the British Museum after it was awarded a government grant of nearly £1m.
Sir Stanley Spencer’s ‘majestic’ painting of Cookham regatta to be unveiled in public for first time in 60 years
01 May 2018A Sir Stanley Spencer painting will be shown in public for the first time in more than half a century ahead of its auction at Sotheby’s.
BDO report hits out at Mossgreen management
30 April 2018The administrator BDO’s report into the collapse of Mossgreen has recommended that the Australian auction house’s former management be investigated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) over possible criminal activities.
New money laundering regulation a “disproportionate burden” on art and antiques businesses
27 April 2018A European Union update to current anti-money laundering regulation designed to tackle terrorist financing risks will place an extra administrative burden on art and antiques businesses, warn trade associations.
Menu for first ever meal onboard the Titanic makes auction record
25 April 2018A menu for the first ever meal on the Titanic, a steward’s badge and a letter written on board have all made top prices at auction in Wiltshire.
Mossgreen consignors free to collect goods without facing charges from administrator BDO
25 April 2018The administrator to collapsed Australian auction house Mossgreen has lost a court case over fees which means goods can be returned to their rightful owners without fees being due.
Shortlist announced for London Original Print Fair museums’ acquisitions prize
24 April 2018The London Original Print Fair (LOPF) has shortlisted five institutions for this year’s acquisition award. The successful entrant will win £8000 to spend at the fair which takes place at the Royal Academy of Arts on May 3-6.
New York trade takes state’s ivory ban to court
23 April 2018A New York law banning the sale of antique ivory has been challenged in court by two leading US antiques dealers associations.
Online market expects competitive year with growth at 12%
23 April 2018The online art market’s growth is slowing but the use of mobile phones to buy art continues to increase.
Sterling silver Hermès handbag makes auction record at Spink in Hong Kong
23 April 2018The highlight of the inaugural handbag auction held by Spink in Hong Kong was a sterling silver Hermès Kelly handbag.
Appeal to trade after burglary of Chinese works of art taken from Bath museum
23 April 2018The Museum of East Asian Art was the victim of a daring raid by four masked men who stole rare artefacts from the Bath institution.
Restituted Cranach shines in New York at Christie's auction
23 April 2018A restituted portrait of a German electoral prince by Lucas Cranach the Elder, missing for nearly 80 years, has sold for $6.6m (£4.7m).
Auction house to host technology summit to tackle questions on blockchain in the art world
19 April 2018Christie’s is to host a one-day conference called Art+Tech Summit to investigate the potential applications of blockchain within the art market.
Bronze sculptures from the court of the Sun King come to auction at Christie’s
18 April 2018Two bronze sculptures from the court of the ‘Sun King’ Louis XIV of France estimated to fetch £15m are to go on tour ahead of a sale at Christie’s this summer.
Movers and shakers: latest arts and antiques appointments
17 April 2018A look at the latest moves across the trade.
Online art market up 12% to $4.2bn but growth slowing according to latest Hiscox Report
17 April 2018The growth of the global online art market slowed in 2017 as price transparency remains a key issue for new buyers.
Sotheby’s online-only sales no longer all premium-free
16 April 2018Sotheby’s has made a u-turn on its pledge to scrap fees for purchasers at its online-only auctions.