UK

In the space of just 48 hours, two paintings by the self-taught Welsh artist and horticulturalist Cedric Morris (1889-1982) raised the auction bar for his work to a new level.

A conference on the history of UK dealers opened in Leeds yesterday with delegates hearing how the practices and identity of British antique dealers have changed during the past century.

The great and the good of the art and antiques world descended on The Royal College of Surgeons in central London last night for a party to celebrate ATG’s 45th anniversary. Flick through the image slideshow here to get a flavour of the event and see who you recognise. The event was sponsored by Auction Logistics from Mailboxes Etc.

A watercolour by Eric Ravilious (1903-1942) drew serious bidding at Sworders this week, overtaking a £40,000-60,000 estimate before it was knocked down at £85,000.

Three leading specialists in orders, decorations and medals are leaving Spink to join rival London firm Dix Noonan Webb.

Francesca Leoni, the Yousef Jameel Curator of Islamic Art at the Ashmolean Museum, will be the headlining speaker at the 2016 LAPADA Art and Antiques Fair taking place from September 13-18 in Berkeley Square, London.

Alan Cristea, owner of the eponymous Contemporary art gallery on Mayfair’s Cork Street, is to become the latest departee from what was once a major London hub of art galleries and dealers.

Police have asked for information from any members of the art and antiques trade who may have had recent dealings with the late Adrian Greenwood who was found dead at his home in Oxford last week.

With Birmingham’s Antiques for Everyone Spring fair underway, the ATG trawls the floor to give you an early view of this thrice-yearly fair.

Made under the watchful eye of the third Qing emperor, a porcelain vase valued at just £12-15 in the 1950s is expected to bring over £20,000 when it is sold at auction on April 27-28.

Sotheby’s has announced the appointment of two new co-European chairmen as well as the establishment of a new strategy board which is set to drive growth.

London dealer Frank Partridge has opened a new shop in Knightsbridge specialising in 18th century French and English furniture and works of art.

The man himself may have disappeared in 1974 but a series of cheques showing Lord Lucan’s spiralling gambling debts have now emerged and will be offered at auction later this month.

An important collection of early chess pieces will be offered as part of Sotheby’s Islamic sale in London on April 20.

John Wood the Elder’s (1704-54) set of drawing instruments were offered at Clevedon Auction Rooms earlier this month and were bought by the Bath Preservation Trust for £21,000.

An important drawing by Paolo Veronese (1528-1588) that changed hands in a major private sale has been temporarily stopped from leaving the UK.

The 20/21 British Art Fair will be relaunched next summer at the newly refurbished Mall Galleries in St James’s.

London-based Criterion Auctioneers are to launch quarterly auctions in Wiltshire, targeting high-value consignments from around the UK.

Following the death of print dealer Justin Skrebowski, 52,000 people have now signed a petition launched by his widow, Gulsen Alkan, to make knife sales safer.

Police have arrested a third man in connection with the death of antique silver dealer Robyn Mercer.