Latest News Articles by Laura Chesters
Rare 17th century English School allegorical painting barred from export in hope it is saved for the nation
14 December 2021The UK government has issued a temporary export bar for a rare 17th century painting depicting a black female sitter alongside her white companion.
Forum and Dreweatts to create new powerhouse
13 December 2021Gurr Johns acquires London works on paper specialist in auction market shake-up.
The record £16m love affair with Aphrodite
13 December 2021More than 70 years after it was last seen in public, an Imperial Roman sculpture dubbed ‘The Hamilton Aphrodite’ has set a record for any ancient marble at auction.
Gurr Johns to buy Forum Auctions
09 December 2021Art consultancy and valuation firm Gurr Johns has bought books and prints specialist Forum Auctions in an all-share deal.
Aphrodite back on sale after 70 years takes £16m at Sotheby's setting an auction record
08 December 2021More than 70 years after it was last seen in public, a sculpture dubbed 'The Hamilton Aphrodite' set a record for any ancient marble sculpture at auction.
Refurbished Lavery studio to be unveiled at Cromwell Place gallery hub
07 December 2021A new studio will open following a major refurbishment at a gallery hub in Kensington.
Royal Mail blip adds books to EU banned list
06 December 2021Art and antiques dealers were temporarily banned from sending items to certain European countries after a botched list was published by the Royal Mail.
Ken Spelman bookshop to close in York
06 December 2021One of York’s oldest bookshops is closing next year.
Antique jades at large after Bedfordshire criminal case
06 December 2021Chinese and Mughal jades believed to have been stolen more than four years ago are still at large and the family and police have made a plea for information as to their whereabouts.
Dealer Philip Mould buys Fry French view
06 December 2021A view of the town of Vence in the south of France by Roger Fry (1866-1934) caught the eye of several bidders at Cheffins (24.5% buyer’s premium).
Plea to help track down missing Laura Knight drawings
02 December 2021Five drawings by artist Dame Laura Knight (1877-1970) were stolen from outside a home near Woodbridge in Suffolk.
Promotions and new roles – a round up of Movers and Shakers in the UK, US and Europe
01 December 2021The latest jobs news across the world of art and antiques.
Interior design duo team up with Cheffins for December sale
30 November 2021Cambridge auction firm Cheffins is working with interior design “power couple” Benedict Foley and Daniel Slowik to promote its next auction.
Face coverings compulsory in auction houses and art and antiques shops in England
30 November 2021Government measures have come into force in England making face coverings compulsory in retail venues and public transport from today (November 30).
Hunger strike medal reveals story of Suffragette with a pseudonym
29 November 2021A suffragette’s true identity may have been uncovered by an auction house.
Life imitating art: £2.1m Lowry interior sells at auction
29 November 2021LS Lowry’s The Auction was hammered down at £2.1m (£2.6m with buyer’s premium and fees) at Sotheby’s last week against an estimate of £1.2m-1.8m.
Clarice Cliff comes to the big (and small) screen
27 November 2021A film of artist potter Clarice Cliff’s (1899-1972) early life is now at cinemas and available via streaming services.
Life Imitates Art: Lowry's 'The Auction' sells at £2.1m
25 November 2021LS Lowry’s 'The Auction' was knocked down at £2.1m (£2.6m with buyer’s premium and fees) at Sotheby’s against an estimate of £1.2m-1.8m.
Portobello Road Market goes permanently car free
24 November 2021Kensington and Chelsea Council has introduced permanent measures for the street in Notting Hill.
London dealer celebrates silver expertise of Huguenots
22 November 2021When Louis XIV revoked the Edict of Nantes in 1685 (which had given religious freedom to French protestants), a flood of Huguenot refugees travelled across Europe to places where they could practise their religion in safety.