Latest News Articles by Laura Chesters
Drouot building soon open to all auction houses
26 October 2020Paris auction group Hôtel Drouot has reorganised its operations and will soon allow non-shareholder businesses to operate from its premises.
Trade fears axe of VAT-free shopping for tourists after Brexit
26 October 2020A government plan to end VAT-free shopping for international visitors next year will impact the UK art and antiques trade, say dealers.
Suffolk selection: artworks with a Suffolk theme feature in Ed Sheeran charity auction
22 October 2020A range of artworks with a Suffolk connection are being offered at a charity sale titled 'Ed Sheeran: Made in Suffolk Legacy Auction' at auction house Lacy Scott & Knight.
Antiques centre owner warns others of thieves’ technique after sky light break-in
21 October 2020The owner of an antiques centre has warned others to be vigilant and take extra precautions after being broken into via a sky light.
Rare first pressing of The Who’s ‘My Generation’ album signed by band members sells at seven-times estimate at auction
20 October 2020A rare first pressing of The Who’s My Generation album has sold at seven-times its top estimate at auction in Hertfordshire.
Trade threatened by £100m anti money laundering levy
19 October 2020The art market is lobbying government to try to stop a new levy on the sector for Anti Money Laundering initiatives.
Early 18th century documents detailing a slavery abolitionist's ill-fated project emerge at auction
17 October 2020Decades in advance of Britain’s Slave Emancipation Act of 1833, 275 British men, women and children attempted to settle an African island to prove plantations could be run without slavery.
Getty Museum buys 39 Dutch drawings from private collector
15 October 2020A group of Dutch drawings put together by a collector over a number of years has been acquired by the J Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles.
Gramophone bought by the Rothschild family for Waddesdon Manor comes to auction
14 October 2020A rare gramophone believed to have been bought by James de Rothschild (1878-1957) of the Rothschild banking dynasty, for the family home of Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire, is coming to auction next week.
Bonhams’ expands management team with new hire
14 October 2020Bonhams has hired Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard, a luxury and consumer goods specialist, to become non-executive chairman of the auction house.
Rare glazed 14th century tiles to be returned to Uzbekistan with help from the British Museum and UK Border Force
13 October 2020A collection of glazed tiles believed to be 14th century examples from a memorial complex near Samarkand are to be returned to Uzbekistan.
Christie’s takes third way on premium structure
12 October 2020Christie’s has changed its buyer’s premium levels this autumn – creating clear air between its fee structure and those used at Sotheby’s and Bonhams.
Aston’s premises go to ‘friendly rival’ as Special Auction Services expands into the Midlands
12 October 2020Special Auction Services is expanding into the West Midlands and has taken over the premises of toy and collectables specialist Aston’s Auctioneers & Valuers in Dudley.
The new Roo and the latest launches for dealer premises
12 October 2020With the UK still in the grip of the coronavirus pandemic, businesses continue to focus on online sales, but many antiques dealers also recognise the importance of physical premises. Here are five recent openings or expansions across the UK.
Photos commissioned by Queen Victoria come to auction
10 October 2020An archive of works by photographer Alexander Lamont Henderson ((1838-1907), including those commissioned by Queen Victoria, will be offered at auction next week.
TEFAF Maastricht 2021 moved to May
08 October 2020The planned TEFAF Maastricht fair scheduled for next year has moved to May.
Nineteenth century furniture and decorative arts dealer creates online auction at Sotheby’s
08 October 2020Mayfair dealer Adrian Alan is to auction a collection of items from his stock at an online-only sale held by Sotheby’s.
Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton sets auction record in New York
07 October 2020A complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton was hammered down at $27.5m (£21.3m) at Christie’s New York.
Sotheby’s opens shop in Bond Street saleroom as auction houses grow their focus on private and retail sales
05 October 2020Sotheby’s has opened a new shop in its Bond Street galleries retailing art, design and luxury items.
Help build knowledge of ‘architect’ sitter
05 October 2020Can you help to identify this gentleman architect sitter in this Giuseppe Bonito (1707-89) picture?