Latest News Articles by Laura Chesters

John Galliano painted silk evening gown

Christian Dior Haute Couture collection takes €6m at auction

04 February 2026

The white glove sale of a collection of modern Christian Dior Haute Couture from a wealthy fashion fan has set four world records.

Shock dog

Export block on 18th century ‘shock dog’ by female sculptor

03 February 2026

A UK institution has the chance to raise £635,000 to buy an 18th century animal sculpture after it was blocked from export.

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Trinity House Paintings: search for 25 works goes on

30 January 2026

Twenty-five artworks have been listed as missing and registered with the Art Loss Register (ALR) following the administration of Trinity House Paintings.

Kingsbridge map

Tudor map of Devon town bought by local museum

30 January 2026

A rare Tudor map of the Devon town Kingsbridge has been acquired by South West Heritage Trust.

Restoration House

BADA Friends launches spring/summer event calendar

30 January 2026

Art and antiques specialists Geoffrey Munn, Robert Tucker and Bentley & Skinner are among those involved in the latest schedule of events for The British Antique Dealers’ Association charity initiative BADA Friends.

Alexandra and Nicola Whittaker

Business launches and new joiners across the world of art and antiques

28 January 2026

The latest Movers and Shakers from auction houses, galleries, advisors and associations

Early medieval precious metal objects

Third record breaking year for archaeological discoveries – boosted again by metal detectorists

27 January 2026

The number of archaeological objects unearthed by the British public in 2024 (the most recent available figures) has soared to close to 80,000 items.

Dr William (Bill) Zachs

Lost portrait of Robert Burns bought at auction heads to National Galleries Scotland for exhibition

27 January 2026

A 'lost' portrait of Scottish poet Robert Burns, rediscovered at auction last year, has been loaned to the National Galleries Scotland for exhibition by its new owner.

Ivory statuette

Dealers outraged at report claiming benefits of the Ivory Act nearly four years on

23 January 2026

Antiques dealers have described the Ivory Act as a “vast amount of expensive, time-consuming red tape” which has, for one, “taken away 50% of annual turnover”.

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Maybe not in Greenland, but American visitors are very welcome in Battersea

23 January 2026

American decorators and buyers were in abundance on the first day of the winter edition of The Decorative Fair in Battersea Park this week.

Claude Lorrain’s Landscape with Rural Dance

UK institution sought for Woburn Abbey’s Claude Lorrain landscape

23 January 2026

A picture by Claude Lorrain (1600-82) has been blocked from export in the hope a UK institution can raise the £9m needed to keep it in the country.

Manuscript diary by Giles Roberts

Georgian pharmacist’s autobiography returns to his home county after museum buys manuscript at auction

22 January 2026

An autobiographical manuscript by a Georgian pharmacist in Dorset will return to the county after the local museum purchased it at auction.

Regency mahogany ‘whatnot’

Art and antiques dealers and collectors among donors of nearly £60m of art and antiques for nation’s museums

19 January 2026

The nation’s museums have benefitted from more than 30 art and objects via tax saving schemes.

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Pick of the week: Pair of andirons designed by EW Godwin head to Texas

16 January 2026

Cotswolds dealer Paul Shutler has sold a pair of EW Godwin-designed andirons to the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston.

Portrait minaiture of Robert Graham

Dealers celebrate Burns Night with selling exhibitions of portrait miniatures and books

16 January 2026

A portrait miniature of Robert Burns’ (1759-96) best friend is part of a pop up exhibition in Mayfair ahead of Burns Night.

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York book fair gets 2026 off to a strong not stormy start

16 January 2026

Storms and the threat of snow could not dampen the spirits of rare booksellers and buyers in York for the first PBFA fair of the 2026 book calendar.

Kinning Park Antique Centre

Curious curios – new owners for two antiques centres

15 January 2026

Two dealers are celebrating the New Year by taking on the ownership of antiques centres in the Lake District and Glasgow.

18th century bust

UK institution sought for 18th century Bouchardon sculpture being sold by Scottish Highland council

13 January 2026

A bust of 18th century politician and landowner John Gordon of Invergordon (1707-83) has been blocked from export by the UK government in the hope a museum will raise the £3.1m needed to keep it in the country.

Movers & Shakers

Auction house and dealer hires among the latest recruitment round up

09 January 2026

The latest Movers & Shakers in the UK and overseas

James Hallgate

Historic York bookshop to reopen after three-year renovation project

08 January 2026

James Hallgate’s Lucius Books will relocate its York shop just down the road after a three-year renovation project of the former Ken Spelman Books premises in the historic city.