UK

A small work by Maggi Hambling (b.1945) was among the pieces of Modern and Contemporary art attracting interest recently at Parker Fine Art Auctions (25% buyer’s premium).

Dreweatts’ (25% buyer’s premium) Modern & Contemporary Art sale on March 16 was led by some distance by the rare lead Mother and Child sculpture by Henry Moore (1898-1986) which was bid to £320,000 (see News, ATG No 2535).

This painting of a blackbird is one of a flock of avian paintings featured at Grosvenor Gallery’s show See them Richards? It features the work of Jim Moir (b.1959) – more familiar to most as the comedian Vic Reeves (his stage name).

Interest from both trade and private buyers helped set an auction record for Paul McPhail (b.1966) at Sworders’ (25% buyer’s premium) latest sale of Modern and Contemporary art.

Identical twin brothers Josep and Pere Santilari (b.1959) star in Stuart Lochhead Sculpture’s exhibition Masters of Realism: Vanitas, Kunstkammer & Still Lifes.

Bearing a very modest estimate of just £20-30, this copy of The Angler in Ireland: or An Englishman’s Ramble through Connaught and Munster, during the Summer of 1833 was bid to £700 in a March 12 sale held by Rowley’s (22.5% buyer’s premium) of Ely.

Spotlight on atmospheric venues hosting art and antiques fairs including a new event.

The National Vintage Communications Fair has rebranded itself and is now called RetroTechUK.

A showcase of French couple whose work combined humour and fantasy with the natural world.

A full-length portrait of the queen by Nicky Philipps is among the highlights at Fine Art Commission’s exhibition of Royal Portraits this spring.

On April 9, Chilcotts (21% buyer’s premium) in Honiton, Devon, offered 25 lots of Heal’s limed oak furniture from a single property.

Not all Contemporary art has to be either abstract or wacky.

A porcelain cabbage, its leaves edged in pale orange, is a highlight among 72 vegetables, animals and fruits featured in Albert Amor’s next exhibition – its first foray into Contemporary artwork.

A round-up of news and events from around the trade.

Contemporary African art was a topic of discussion at last month’s The Art Business Conference in London.

Extensive group of lots from well-known book dealer and his wife led London auction

William Gear (1915-97) is among the Modern Scottish artists whose work regularly appears at auction.

One of the highlights at the timed online of Modern and Contemporary Art Auction at Halls of Shrewsbury, which closes on May 2, is a large painting of sunflowers by John Bratby (1928-92).

Thousands of items are available to buy from dealers online. Here we pick out one that caught our eye this week.

Paul Fitzsimmons of Marhamchurch Antiques specialises in early English furniture and works of art pre- 1700, with a focus on 1500-1650.