UK

Magazine by ‘heathen staff’ sells for 10-times top estimate in the city where it was produced...

In its current exhibition, Cornwall gallery Belgrave St Ives features the works of artists, many of whom are not usually associated with the coastal town in which the business specialises.

It all started in 1972 when Bob Evans Fairs launched a small and pioneering antiques fair in Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire, followed by 70 more up and down the country.

A sensational result emerged for the artist-potter Hans Coper (1920-81) at the 20th Century & Contemporary sale at Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood in Exeter.

An Old Master painting hung in the spare bedroom of a family home in Oxfordshire sold for a surprise £440,000 (plus 20% buyer’s premium) at Holloway’s of Banbury.

Last year there were fears the Metropolitan Police’s Art & Antiques Unit would be closed after two of its members were seconded to the Grenfell Tower fire enquiry. However, in December the team was reunited and a new boss Det Sgt Rob Upham, with 23 years’ experience in the Met, was brought in to lead the team. ATG caught up with him recently.

Tutu, a previously lost portrait by Ben Enwonwu (1917-94) of the Ife royal princess Adetutu Ademiluyi set a new record for the artist at Bonhams’ Africa Now auction.

In our continuing series looking through the keyhole of ‘bricks and mortar’ shops in 2017, ATG talks to John Cabello of Parade Antiques.