UK

An oil on panel by Franz Sedlacek (1891-1945), an Austrian artist prominent in the Vienna Secession group of painters, drew international bidding at Toovey’s of Washington, West Sussex.

A leading CITES lawyer has criticised DEFRA’s “wholesale failure” to alert the public to law changes, after a court fined a jeweller £2000 for selling antique tiger claw pendants.

Last week in London, it was hard to know where to be or look as, alongside the major Impressionist and Modern art auctions, ‘Olympia International Art & Antiques Fair’ and ‘Masterpiece London’ at the Royal Hospital Chelsea coincided for the first time.

The founders and sponsors of Antiques Young Guns hosted an awards ceremony at the ‘Olympia International Art & Antiques Fair’ to honour the 12 Antiques Heavy Artillery mentors who gave their time and expertise to mentor the finalists of the AYG of the Year Awards 2014.

A group of restituted paintings were among the highlights of a robust series of Impressionist and Modern art auctions in London.

Sotheby’s and Christie’s have well-established specialist departments for brokering deals on sale of Nazi-looted works returned to rightful heirs. Over the last decade some major pieces of Impressionist and Modern art have come to auction as a result of restitution settlements.

“The ivory ban has been a right old dampener on the market as a whole but after taking time to consider its implications, collectors are coming back.”

A fine 1875 vintage… never opened… so what did this bottle of wine sell for?

A couple of recently restituted works of art drew prolonged bidding at Sotheby’s evening sale of Impressionist and Modern art in London including Gustav Klimt's (1862-1918) portrait of Gertrud Loew which was the top lot of the night at £22m.

In the 1984 book ‘The Late Paintings and Drawings of John Constable’ by Graham Reynolds, a pencil drawing of the back and shoulders of the artist’s wife Mrs Maria Constable (nee Bicknell) is described as ‘whereabouts unknown’.

A Sir William Orpen nude is set to be the star lot at the relaunched Sotheby’s Irish Art sale in London on October 21.

Parking restrictions imposed in and around Battersea Park for the first Formula E electric car race on June 27-28 may impact on visitors to the Masterpiece London fair, held nearby at the Royal Hospital Chelsea from June 25 to July 1.

The 11 dealers who share the space at Core One Antiques, just off London’s Kings Road have confirmed that, after 14 years, they will be closing their Gasworks premises on June 24. They have been unable to renew their lease due to the redevelopment of the riverside area adjacent to Chelsea Harbour Design District.

ATG speaks to Richard Green as he reflects on six decades as a dealer, his firm’s debut at ‘Masterpiece’ this month and how his sons have broadened his taste in art

Leeds University launch two resources for research and study into the British art and antiques market this week.

Kerry Taylor Auctions are selling the Celia Birtwell Collection on June 23 in Bermondsey, south London.

Auctioneers Bainbridges of Ruislip are selling a chalk and gouache drawing attributed to Thomas Gainsborough.

This still life by Dutch artist Cornelis de Heem (1631-95) has been returned to its historical home, The National Trust’s Dyrham Park in Gloucestershire. The painting was bought through London dealer Johnny Van Haeften for £574,000.

Bonhams are to close their Oxfordshire salerooms and move more merchandise to London as part of a further review of their regional operations.

This spectacular barn find, an ebonised coromandel and inlaid octagonal centre table designed by Edward Godwin (1833-86), sold for £31,000 at Sworders’ sale of decorative art and design in Stansted Mountfitchet.