News

HOUSE contents sales always create a frisson of excitement. Alongside the stars of the show, big-ticket pieces that comes trailing clouds of pre-sale publicity, there is the potential thrill of the unexpected, the serendipitous attractions of the less elevated contents of cellar, outhouse and attic, which hold out the possibility of a bargain.

PRESERVING the Past, Protecting the Future, Collecting and Conserving Fine and Decorative Arts, is a new fine arts conference scheduled for September 14-16 at Buckinghamshire New University in High Wycombe.

ANTIQUES Trade Gazette has won a Green Apple media award for its promotion of the Antiques Are Green campaign.

THE European Commission has reneged on a legal undertaking to review the effects of the Artist’s Resale Right in the UK before it is extended to the estates of dead artists.

IT may have been an exceptional piece that generated an equally exceptional level of presale interest but, even still, few people present at Christie's Paris for the sale of Amedeo Modigliai's (1884-1920) Tête were expecting it to become the most expensive work of art ever sold at auction in France.

DEALERS at another antiques arcade in Portobello Road are having to vacate the centre after being given notice to quit.

THE unexpected highlight of the sale conducted by Cheffins of Cambridge on June 9-10 came courtesy of this mahogany writing table. Estimated at £4000-6000, it sold at £68,000 (plus 17.5 per cent buyer's premium).