Latest News Articles by Laura Chesters
Antiques dealer highlights “nightmare” red tape of ivory ban on BBC politics show ahead of parliamentary debate
04 June 2018Antiques dealer Michael Baggott has highlighted on national television the huge amount of bureaucracy that will ensue when the proposed ivory ban becomes law.
Trade decries US crackdown on antiquities
04 June 2018Demands for ‘looted’ items to be returned could be ‘disastrous’ for the dealers, say antiquities trade bodies...
The Fine Art Society quits historic Mayfair home
04 June 2018Contemporary art specialist Halcyon Gallery will expand in Bond Street by moving into the Fine Art Society’s home of the past 142 years, in the latest example of a traditional gallery leaving Mayfair.
Max Beckmann painting sets German auction record in Berlin
04 June 2018Auction house Grisebach in Berlin is celebrating after it sold a Max Beckmann painting for a premium-inclusive €5.5m - the highest price ever paid for a painting at an auction in Germany.
Two Ronnies’ Fork Handles script sells at Bristol auction
04 June 2018A famous Ronnie Barker script that first came to light during an episode of the Antiques Roadshow in 2006 has been hammered down at £28,000.
Buyer sought to keep Salvador Dalí champagne lamps in the UK
02 June 2018Lamps designed by surrealist artist Salvador Dalí have been blocked from export in the hope a buyer can be found to pay £440,000 to keep them in the UK.
Legendary Two Ronnies’ Fork Handles script comes to Bristol auction room
30 May 2018A famous Ronnie Barker script that first came to light during an episode of the Antiques Roadshow in 2006 is to be offered at auction this week.
Art world legal disputes head to The Hague
29 May 2018An alternative to going to court over art world legal disputes will be launched in the Netherlands.
Trade associations press ahead with legal challenge as ivory bill published
28 May 2018The art and antiques trade associations are in a race against time in their bid to challenge aspects of the government’s planned ivory ban. The bill was published last week, earlier than expected.
Online Galleries defends price rises in line with increased traffic
28 May 2018UK antiques portal Online Galleries has significantly increased subscription costs, causing many dealers to complain of steep price rises.
Pop artist designs help whisky bottle to auction record at Bonhams Hong Kong
25 May 2018Whisky bottles decorated with illustrations by pop artists Valerio Adami and Sir Peter Blake set records at Bonhams’ Fine and Rare Wine and Whisky auction in Hong Kong.
Original 1960s Rolex Submariner watch clocks up £80,000 at auction
24 May 2018A rare and original 1960s Rolex Submariner watch, bought new from a jewellery shop in Doncaster for £69 in 1966, sold in a Wiltshire auction for £80,000.
Government launches bill for “one of the toughest bans on ivory sales in the world”
23 May 2018The government will launch its Ivory Bill in parliament today in a move that environment secretary Michael Gove described as “one of the toughest bans on ivory sales in the world”.
Regional firms weigh costs of credit card fees
21 May 2018Rising costs in the wake of the government ban on credit card fees are forcing auctioneers to end card transactions or consider raising buyer’s premium.
Lots that come under close scrutiny
21 May 2018Lenses and slides caught the eye of buyers at specialist science and early technology auctioneer Flints (20% + VAT buyer’s premium) at its two-day sale of Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science & Medicine.
Blow to art lending market in UK as government scraps proposed new lending law
16 May 2018Art lending in the UK suffered a blow this week when the government announced it was abandoning a proposed bill to reform lending laws.
Saturday May 19 is a big day: Salerooms happy to compete with Royal wedding and FA Cup final
15 May 2018Football fans and royalists have a busy weekend ahead – Saturday, May 19, is when Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle at Windsor Castle and Chelsea take on Manchester United at Wembley in the FA Cup Final.
London salvage and antiques firm hosts architecture and design summer lecture series in Georgian mansion
14 May 2018Salvage and reclamation specialist LASSCO is hosting a series of talks on the history of design and architecture in its Georgian mansion, Brunswick House in Vauxhall, south London.
Hedge fund owner of Savile Row tailor plans online-only auction at Sotheby’s
14 May 2018Savile Row tailor Huntsman & Sons and financier Pierre Lagrange are to hold an online auction at Sotheby’s later this month.
Rare pre-First World War photographs of Winston Churchill painting come to auction in Bristol
14 May 2018Prime minister, politician, army officer, war journalist and writer - Winston Churchill had many talents, but it was while painting that he truly relaxed.