Latest News Articles by Laura Chesters
National Portrait Gallery seeks help from trade to grow collection
26 March 2018The UK's National Portrait Gallery (NPG) has funding in place for vernacular portraits ‘owned by ordinary people’. It is calling on the trade to help it acquire works for a new exhibition centred on identity before the era of painted portraiture.
‘Bigger and better’ Liotard portrait sold to German museum
26 March 2018A private museum in south-west Germany has bought a portrait by Swiss artist Jean- Etienne Liotard (1702-89) from London Old Master dealer Derek Johns.
‘Money-laundering’ limit to apply to all transactions
26 March 2018The art and antiques trade is facing further money laundering regulation from the European Union.
Sylvia Plath’s copy of her novel ‘The Bell Jar’ is top lot at Bonhams auction
26 March 2018Sylvia Plath’s personal copy of the first edition of her only novel was the top lot in a sale of the ‘Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes: The Property of Frieda Hughes’ sale at Bonhams.
Kensington Church Street dealers ask trade to be vigilant following thefts
26 March 2018A thief who targeted Kensington Church Street dealers is believed to have struck again.
Derbyshire antiques centre suffers smashed window for second time in a year after car careers off road
21 March 2018Heanor Antique Centre has called on its local council to re-think the road layout on Ilkeston Road, where it is located, after its window was smashed as a second car crashed into the shop in just over a year.
Businessman and art collector launches book on unsung heroes
20 March 2018Businessman and art collector Algy Cluff is launching his second book in two years – packed full of tales including art heists, forgeries and dispersals of art collections.
Rubens portrait begins world tour in Dubai as auctioneer hopes to tap into Middle Eastern Old Master demand
19 March 2018Sotheby’s has chosen Dubai to unveil a Rubens painting it plans to offer later this summer in a bid to tap into the hoped-for demand for Old Master paintings in the Middle East.
Call for help to find London underground map stolen from auction house
19 March 2018Transport Auctions of London is calling for the trade to look out for a stolen London Underground map.
Online sales hit ‘new high’ as market grows
19 March 2018Online channels are an increasing source of new buyers for both auction houses and dealers, despite the art and antiques sector being behind the wider economy when it comes to use of ecommerce, a new global report says.
Webb’s survives Mossgreen debacle
19 March 2018Two businessmen from Auckland have rescued New Zealand auction house Webb’s from administration after the collapse of parent company Mossgreen.
TEFAF Maastricht 2018: less footfall but fair expectations delivered in final sales report
19 March 2018The 2018 edition of TEFAF Maastricht closed yesterday with a number of dealers telling ATG they had a better fair than they initially expected.
Art lending trend continues as auctioneers sign to finance firm
19 March 2018Unbolted continues its move into the art and antiques sector with Holts the latest firm to offer its lending services to customers.
Ivory debated on the breakfast sofa
19 March 2018Leaders of four African countries have called on the UK and the EU to ban the trade in antique ivory to help stop elephant poaching.
TEFAF Maastricht 2018: Crowd control is just the ticket
19 March 2018A change to TEFAF Maastricht’s opening day policy has been better for business, exhibitors tell ATG as we check the mood from the floor during the 2018 fair.
Westminster Abbey pictures by artist Alexander Creswell bought by dean for new exhibition
17 March 2018Westminster Abbey is to unveil a series of watercolours after the Dean and Chapter of Westminster purchased a group of 35 pictures from artist Alexander Creswell.
Perth auctioneer forced to move after ‘suspicious’ fire at saleroom
16 March 2018A devastating fire at an auction house in Scotland has forced it to temporarily relocate.
Exhibitor awards revealed as art and antiques fair BADA 2018 opens to the public
15 March 2018Art and antiques fair BADA 2018 opened to the public yesterday and unveiled its exhibitor awards for best object, lighting, display and the coveted best stand.
Connections at TEFAF: the story of the 17th century salt cellar showing the flow of ideas between East and West – Video
14 March 2018Highlighting the breadth of art and antiques across different categories at the TEFAF Maastricht fair, two pieces on separate stands helped tell the story of the development of the salt cellar in the 17th century.
China overtakes the UK as high-end sales dominate the global art market
14 March 2018The global art market grew by 12% in 2017 with the expansion driven by high-end sales as China overtook the UK as the second largest market, according to Dr Clare McAndrew’s latest report.