Latest News Articles by Alex Capon
René Lalique motoring mascots head single-owner sale at Bonhams
17 August 2016A collection of motoring mascots formed by Robert White, a leading UK camera retailer, will be offered at Bonhams next month. Offered in single-owner sale in London on September 19, the consignments include 37 examples by René Lalique.
Major coin show set to kick off in Hong Kong
17 August 2016Over 100 exhibitors have signed up for the inaugural Hong Kong Coin Show which opens on Friday, making it one of the largest numismatic shows of the year in Asia.
Tate takes ownership of Joshua Reynolds portrait from Castle Howard
16 August 2016The Tate has acquired a major portrait by Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792) from Castle Howard in North Yorkshire after it was accepted in lieu of inheritance tax.
Ivory statuettes blocked from export… but will they be saved for the nation?
15 August 2016The government has imposed an export bar on two ivory statuettes by Balthasar Permoser (1651-1732), allowing UK buyers the opportunity to match the £1.8m price before they leave the country.
‘Irreplaceable’ Tudor stained glass stolen from Leicestershire chapel
12 August 2016A Tudor stained glass panel attributed to Galeon Hone, glazier to King Henry VIII, has been stolen from the 16th-century Withcote Chapel, near Market Harborough in Leicestershire.
Fellows move to larger London offices and expand their team
12 August 2016Fellows are moving their London office from Queen Street to Hill Street, just off Berkeley Square.
COMMENT – industry split over Advertising Standards Authority probe into auction pricing
12 August 2016The art and antiques trade has reacted with mixed views over the launch of an investigation into the way auction houses display their commission rates. A number of dealers have told ATG that an investigation into transparency of buyer’s premium is long overdue, while auctioneers have pointed out that the proposed changes would be unnecessary and impractical.
South African art specialists launch new auction firm in Johannesburg
11 August 2016A new auction house has been set up in South Africa. Aspire Art Auctions will hold their inaugural sale in Johannesburg on October 31.
Hackney brings in the money – early Lawrence Gowing view of London takes record £40,000
10 August 2016A record price for a work by Sir Lawrence Gowing (1918-1991) came at the latest fine art sale held by Brightwells of Leominster.
Sotheby’s make higher profits despite drop in auction market
08 August 2016Sotheby’s latest results showed the firm has increased profits despite a significant fall in auction sales. Their share price jumped by over 15% after the figures were released earlier today.
ASA to investigate transparency over auction premiums
27 July 2016The Advertising Standards Authority have launched an investigation into the way auction houses display their commission rates.
Phillips host loan show of Barbara Hepworth’s late works
22 July 2016Phillips are hosting an exhibition of late works by Barbara Hepworth (1903-1975) in collaboration with the Hepworth Wakefield.
Sotheby's promote Claudia Dwek to European chairman of contemporary art
20 July 2016Sotheby’s have appointed Claudia Dwek as chairman of contemporary art, Europe. She will remain as co-chairman of Sotheby’s Italy.
Christie’s sales down 27% – is this an art market slump?
20 July 2016Christie’s has experienced a sharp fall in overall sales. In figures released earlier today the company reported sales of £2.1bn for the first half of 2016, which compared to £2.9bn for the same period in 2015.
Cash in the attic - Grancino cello and Voirin bow sell for £173,000 at London auction
19 July 2016A cello by Giovanni Grancino made in Milan in c.1710 was one of a number of ‘attic finds’ that led Brompton’s latest musical instruments auction.
Regime change at Stanley Gibbons as top bosses made redundant
18 July 2016Major changes have been announced to the management and board of Stanley Gibbons after the chief executive and chief financial officer were made redundant.
Toulouse-Lautrec posters sweep into Swann’s auction
15 July 2016A series of posters by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec headlines the upcoming Vintage Posters sale at Swann Auction Galleries in New York.
Forum Auctions first sale tops £1m and is led by rare Cicero on vellum
15 July 2016The inaugural sale held by new London saleroom Forum Auctions concluded yesterday with £1.1m raised (including premium) from 364 lots.
Record for Latin American art as Phillips negotiate private deal for Rivera painting
15 July 2016Phillips have negotiated the private sale of ‘Baile en Tehuantepec’ by Diego Rivera (1886-1957) for $15.75m (£12m), a price which they claim is a record for any piece of Latin American art.
London Art Week: a round-up of sales
14 July 2016The fourth edition of London Art Week which ended last Friday achieved some notable sales, with prices ranging from £1000 to over £1m.