Latest News Articles by Laura Chesters
Export block for 300-year-old London tapestry
24 October 2016The government is hoping to find a UK-based buyer to pay £67,500 for a 300-year-old tapestry to prevent it from leaving the country.
They said what?! The week (17-23 Oct) in quotes from the art and antiques world
23 October 2016In our weekend series, Antiques Trade Gazette brings you a selection of quotes from dealers, auctioneers, collectors and others – from Far East fakes to rabbi paintings and what dealer Gordon Watson said after selling his collection.
Fuller calls for trade to lobby on ivory in advance of consultation
21 October 2016Natural history expert Errol Fuller has called for the antiques trade to lobby quickly over any rule changes to the UK trade in ivory.
New and old fivers attract bidders at Spink
20 October 2016The excitement around the new polymer fivers, which were launched by the Bank of England last month, helped boost interest in new and old £5 notes for philatelic and numismatic specialists Spink.
Dealer Michael Cohen sells ‘Holy Grail’ Qianlong tureen to US collector
20 October 2016London dealer and BADA chairman Michael Cohen has found and sold his personal “Holy Grail”, in the shape of a Qianlong tureen, cover and stand.
Rabbi portraits up for sale in Barnes
19 October 2016More than 50 portraits of rabbis will be put on display and offered for sale in south west London.
A £10 car boot sale Chinese vase find gets a £30,000 estimate for auction
18 October 2016A rare Chinese Imperial Beijing enamel vase bought for £10 at a car boot sale is to go to auction in Salisbury next month carrying a £20,000-30,000 estimate.
Salvador Dalí artworks from West Dean House to go to auction
18 October 2016A sofa in the form of Mae West’s lips and a lobster telephone are among the surrealist lots from West Dean House to go to auction in December.
Musician in plea for stolen violin
18 October 2016A London-based musician’s equipment, including an antique violin, has been stolen and she is calling on the trade to help her find it.
Gordon Watson sells personal collection at auction
17 October 2016Art and antiques dealer Gordon Watson sold part of his collection at auction last week, raising £842,939, including premium.
Furniture restorer fights landlord’s development plans
17 October 2016A north London independent antique restorer is trying to prevent his landlord from redeveloping his shop.
Hand-written speeches by John F Kennedy and Theodore Roosevelt go to auction
15 October 2016A hand-written and autographed speech by President John F Kennedy is among the lots from Malcolm S Forbes’ estate to be sold at auction next week.
Christie’s opens new site in Beijing
14 October 2016Christie’s has opened its third premises in China with a new space in Beijing.
Banksy sells out at Forum Auctions
14 October 2016Forum Auctions’ white-glove Banksy sale made more than £600,000 and set 15 records this week.
Pelmets, plinths and pedestals: fixtures from top London hotel go to auction
13 October 2016Fancy a piece of the opulent Mandarin Oriental hotel in your own living room?
Still in Vogue: 1920s magazine cover makes $50,000 at auction in New York
13 October 2016An original 1920s Vogue cover by French illustrator Georges Lepape broke the auction record for the artist last month.
Forum Auctions formalises Italian operations
12 October 2016Forum Auctions has formalised its deal with book dealer Filippo Rotundo’s Phiobiblon Gallery and will hold Forum branded auctions in Italy later this month.
Philip Mould reveals his worst ever deal
12 October 2016London dealer Philip Mould has revealed his “first and most stupid deal” and his regret at missing out on buying a drawing by David Hockney.
Hermès Birkin: still the handbag of choice at auction
12 October 2016The original ‘It’ bag, a Hermès Birkin, has proved yet again that it remains the world’s most desirable bag after setting an auction record for Fellows Auctioneers this week.
Russian diamond necklaces with Imperial connections given $10m pitch
11 October 2016Two Russian diamond necklaces, with links to Peter the Great and Catherine the Great, will be auctioned by Sotheby’s in Geneva next month with a $10m estimate.