Auctioneers

The auction process is a key part of the secondary art and antiques market.

Firms of auctioneers usually specialise in a number of fields such as jewellery, ceramics, paintings, Asian art or coins but many also hold general sales where the goods available are not defined by a particular genre and are usually lower in value.

Auctioneers often provide other services such as probate and insurance valuations.

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Coming close to perfection at £170,000

20 October 2008

Offered at Lawrences of Crewkerne on October 16, this Ming dynasty blue and white brushwasher has Xuande (1425-1435) character marks and is of the period.

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Underrated Fabergé soars in Philadelphia

20 October 2008

Reports of the vast sums of money lost by some Russian oligarchs in the recent financial crisis did not appear to hamper enthusiasm for a collection of Russian cloisonné sold at Freeman’s in Philadelphia on October 8.

No more sales of WBH lots says Staffordshire auctioneers

20 October 2008

Staffordshire auctioneers Cuttlestones have announced that they will not be selling any lots consigned by troubled West Midlands auctioneers Walker Barnett & Hill until further notice.

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The £1m note makes £68,000

20 October 2008

A Bank of England £1m Treasury note sold at Spink on October 1 for £68,000.

Sotheby’s set up in Doha

20 October 2008

Sotheby’s have announced that they are to open an office in Doha and are planning a series of auctions in the Qatari capital in early 2009.

The credit crunch at Christie’s

17 October 2008

As the US and European governments infused billions into their banking systems, Christie’s have changed their approach to credit. Dealers who were previously allowed several weeks to pay for items after collection have now been informed they must pay before receipt of their goods.

Russian firm take over Phillips de Pury

13 October 2008

The Moscow-based luxury retail giant Mercury Group have bought a majority stake in the London-based international auctioneers Phillips de Pury & Company. Phillips de Pury said that Mercury initially offered a possible partnership in July last year, but the deal developed into an effective takeover last week.

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Fair wind takes Dutch marines to £135,000

13 October 2008

WHETHER or not the art market will be able to steer its way through the current financial storm remains an open question. But providing some relief from the constant talk of falling stocks and the global credit crunch, a pair of Dutch marine pictures saw some strong bidding at the latest picture sale held by Woolley and Wallis on October 8.

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Muted bidding as Fatimid ewer takes £2.8m hammer

13 October 2008

It proved, as predicted, to be the highest priced item in London Islamic week sales, but the Fatimid rock crystal ewer did not generate quite the fireworks that were expected before it came up for sale at Christie's on October 7.

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Royal Worcester at the double

13 October 2008

Royal Worcester porcelain is one of those collecting areas which is plentiful enough in its many different ornamental styles to support a wide collecting base. There are buyers for all the different forms, from George Owen’s scarce reticulated vases to Doris Lindner’s equestrian models.

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For your convenience... a thunderbook

13 October 2008

BOOKS being used in their physical form alone to disguise an entirely different function are nothing new – money boxes are a perennial favourite – but the book as Thunderbox?

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Khyber rarity takes £38,000

06 October 2008

THIS extremely rare 18th Century Khyber knife was the highlight of the London sale conducted by Norfolk-based sporting gun specialist Holts, where it sold for a surprise £38,000.

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Sale highlights the tricky question of Banksy attribution

06 October 2008

THE question of authenticity remains high on the agenda in the Banksy market after a last-minute intervention by the self-styled guerrilla artist had a devastating effect on Lyon & Turnbull’s latest attempt to break into the London contemporary art market.

New saleroom for J.P. Humbert

06 October 2008

J.P. Humbert opened their new saleroom in Towcester on September 25. After five years at a site on Burcote Road site they can now be found in a 4000 sq ft premises on the Silverstone Business Park situated off the A43.

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Louis Wain cats are withdrawn from auction

29 September 2008

The volume of artist Louis Wain’s distinctive ceramic animals making a sudden appearance on the market has raised the possibility that some could be reproductions or fakes. Seven have been offered at various UK salerooms in the last month, while two suspect examples have already been pulled from a Bonhams sale.

Lyon & Turnbull turn the premium system on its head

29 September 2008

Lyon & Turnbull are to turn the buyer’s premium system on its head by raising it for top-tier prices but cutting it for lower-priced lots in general sales.

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Classical creation makes £65,000 in Gloucestershire

29 September 2008

Gloucestershire auctioneers Simon Chorley began their autumn season on September 18, selling this Louis XIV ebony, ivory and tortoiseshell cabinet for £65,000 (plus 15 per cent buyer's premium).

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Bonhams move to new Oxford HQ

29 September 2008

Bonhams Oxford are to leave the city centre in favour of new premises in a village just north of the city.

Christie’s unveil plans for €200m-300m St Laurent sale

29 September 2008

Christie’s have announced the exact dates and location for the Paris sale of the collection put together by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé. It will be held jointly by two auction houses, Christie’s and Pierre Bergé & Associates, on February 23, 24 and 25 next year.

Muted prices at Nicholson sale highlights mixed appeal of Psaier

29 September 2008

MEDIA interest in the Pietro Psaier controversy saw members of the national press in attendance at John Nicholson’s Fernhurst rooms on September 24 for the sale of 235 artworks.

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