UK

In our weekend series, Antiques Trade Gazette brings you a selection of quotes from dealers, auctioneers and others. This week we say goodbye to Christie’s South Kensington and meet the new arts minister.

A pair of white glazed figures of musicians made by the Lowestoft factory c.1770, sold for £4000 (plus 20% buyer’s premium) at the July 18 sale at Keys of Aylsham. The pair – perhaps the first to come onto the market for at least 30 years – provided the highlight of more than 100 lots of Lowestoft porcelain.

Michael Gove MP gave his first speech as environment minister today and has vowed to tackle the illegal ivory trade. However, he made no reference to a total ban on ivory.

The UK government plans to renew the Holocaust (Return of Cultural Objects) Act 2009 to extend beyond its 2019 end to ensure the law remains indefinitely.

The crowds descended on the latest Antiques for Everyone fair at the NEC in Birmingham for its opening day yesterday.

With Christopher Nolan’s epic new film Dunkirk released today in the UK, it is a perfect time to focus on still rather than moving images which reveal the original picture of the 1940 evacuation.

The British Hallmarking Council has launched a public consultation into the issue of UK assay offices using traditional hallmarks in overseas operations.

Auctioneer Henry Aldridge & Son is known for its Titanic memorabilia sales but this weekend it will shake things up and auction items from rock ‘n’ roll star Elvis Presley.

Rounding off the last ever auction at Christie’s South Kensington, chairman of CSK Nic McElhatton delivered a heartfelt farewell speech as the saleroom closed its doors for the final time.

An important glazed Islamic calligraphic tile stolen in Uzbekistan is to be returned to the country after it was discovered for sale in a London gallery.