Latest News Articles by Laura Chesters

Fake or Fortune? returns to screens for its ninth season this month
17 July 2021BBC TV show Fake or Fortune? is returning later this month after filming progressed in between lockdowns.

England relaxes coronavirus restrictions but recommendations remain in place
14 July 2021The UK government has confirmed that from July 19 in England many of the coronavirus restrictions will be relaxed.

French state buys infamous Marquis de Sade’s manuscript with help from a wealthy banker
13 July 2021France’s Ministry of Culture announced the acquisition by the state of the ‘120 days of Sodom’ by the Marquis de Sade and a number of other manuscripts.

Growing gains early on at London Art Week
12 July 2021Exhibitors at London Art Week have reported a good flow of visitors to galleries as well as demand for the online series of talks.

Warning over Brexit effect on British hallmarking
12 July 2021The British Hallmarking Council (BHC) is to raise concerns with the government about the impact of Brexit on antique gold and silver exports into the EU.

Book fan leaves his antiquarian collection to local Oxfam shop
10 July 2021A book collector who travelled to an Oxfam shop in Tavistock, Devon every Tuesday by bus for the past decade has left his entire book collection to the charity.

New VAT rules for EU imports take effect this month
08 July 2021New VAT rules have been put in place by the European Union for distance selling.

New faces and updates across auction houses in the UK and US
07 July 2021This week’s Movers & Shakers includes a new specialist for Roseberys’ Modern & Contemporary Prints & Multiples department.

London Art Week talks commence online
06 July 2021The latest edition of London Art Week is underway and a series of talks and lectures accompany the in-gallery exhibitions held by dealers across London.

Antiques Roadshow specialist Eric Knowles turns dealer at new Kent emporium
05 July 2021Decorative arts specialist Eric Knowles has become a dealer and teamed up with others in the trade to launch a new emporium in Kent.

Clean energy: The real-life world of art restoration
05 July 2021TV programmes have brought restoration and conservation into the public spotlight recently, but what is life really like for those working in the field at a time when training and jobs are under pressure?

Silver dealer Koopman confident about move
05 July 2021Koopman Rare Art has moved to Mayfair after more than 50 years in the London Silver Vaults on Chancery Lane.

Q&A: Plowden & Smith
05 July 2021Conservation and restoration firm Plowden & Smith is now run by managing director Camilla Hughes-Hunt with a team of 13 qualified full-time conservation specialists.

College and school of design merger creates South Downs and London supercentre
05 July 2021West Dean College recently merged with KLC School of Design in London.

Q&A: Lizzie Neville, head of school of conservation at West Dean college
05 July 2021Lizzie Neville, head of school of conservation at West Dean College of Arts & Conservation, works with 15 full-time members of staff and more than 50 visiting lecturers

Q&A: Ceri House
05 July 2021Ceri House is an artist and restorer and currently works with Nick Shipton and the Brothership Studio team in Hertford.

The web shop window: Contemporary stoneware artwork
05 July 2021Thousands of items are available to buy from dealers online. Here we pick out one that caught our eye this week.

Q&A: Simon Gillespie
05 July 2021Described recently in a How To Spend It article in the Financial Times as a “part sleuth, part therapist and part miracle worker… a modern master of illumination”, Simon Gillespie runs a team of seven conservators, restorers and specialists in his studio above New Bond Street in central London.

Eric Knowles and Charles Hanson team up for Kent valuation day
03 July 2021Specialist Eric Knowles and auctioneer Charles Hanson will be taking part in a valuation day in Tunbridge Wells to raise money for charity.