Latest News Articles by Alex Capon
Alfred Gilbert’s Perseus girdles up for auction
01 September 2017Sir Alfred Gilbert (1854-1934) is most famous for his sculpture ‘Eros’ that stands high up in London’s Piccadilly Circus as the centrepiece on the Shaftesbury Memorial. Now, a bronze cast of ‘Perseus Arming’, the work which is described as his ‘breakthrough’ piece, will be offered at Bonhams next month.
Christie’s increases buyer’s premium
29 August 2017Auction house Christie’s has raised its buyer’s premium. The latest changes to the thresholds follow Sotheby’s announcement of a new premium structure last week.
Queen Victoria’s coronet to remain in UK after V&A Museum acquisition
29 August 2017A sapphire and diamond coronet designed by Prince Albert for Queen Victoria has been acquired by the V&A Museum. It was previously sold by a London dealer to an overseas buyer but was blocked from export by the government in 2015.
Criminal assets targeted in UK government's new act
28 August 2017The new Criminal Finances Act, which is expected to come into force in September, gives police the power to seize art, antiques and jewellery in the same way as if it was cash.
Christie’s to sell photographs from Museum of Modern Art’s collection in New York
11 August 2017The Museum of Modern Art in New York has consigned a series of photographs to Christie’s which will be offered at auctions over the next 18 months.
Antiques dealer’s Alberto Giacometti drawings to be offered at Cheffins
10 August 2017The eclectic collection of the late antiques dealer Eila Grahame continues to provide Cheffins of Cambridge with exceptional material. The latest works that have been unveiled are two drawings by Alberto Giacometti (1901-66) which will be offered at auction on October 12.
Irma Stern portrait of ‘marginalised’ Malay woman offered at Bonhams auction of South African art in London
09 August 2017A melancholic portrait of a young Malay woman by Irma Stern (1894-1966) will be offered at Bonhams’ upcoming sale of South African art in London.
Dealers arrested in Jerusalem over antiquities imported to US
04 August 2017Five antiquities dealers were arrested by Israeli police in Jerusalem last week in connection with items that were illegally imported into the US by the arts-and-crafts retailer Hobby Lobby.
10 Clarice Cliff highlights offered in Christie’s online-only sale
02 August 2017Christie’s are offering a collection of Clarice Cliff in an online-only sale for the first time this month.
‘Irreplaceable’ masonic sword stolen in car theft recovered after emerging at London auction
27 July 2017A masonic ceremonial sword which disappeared in a car theft has been recovered after emerging at a London auction house.
Julia Margaret Cameron photograph of Charles Darwin brings competition at Sotheby’s
24 July 2017A photographic portrait of Charles Darwin by Julia Margaret Cameron was among the lots drawing strong competition at Sotheby’s sale of works from one of the largest private collections of material relating to the great naturalist ever formed.
Ancient ‘peat bog’ bronze sword sells to Dutch museum at Christie’s
24 July 2017A museum in The Netherlands has bought a 3000-year-old ceremonial sword at a Christie’s auction. It had been found around 120 years ago in a peat bog.
Credit card fees banned from January
24 July 2017Auctioneers and dealers will have to decide whether to absorb the cost of credit card transactions or pass them on to buyers in another form when a ban on all such fees comes into force in January 2018.
Consultation launched over offshore hallmarking
24 July 2017Campaigners against ‘British’ hallmarking overseas have welcomed the launch of a consultation on the issue.
Consultation launched into overseas hallmarking
20 July 2017The British Hallmarking Council has launched a public consultation into the issue of UK assay offices using traditional hallmarks in overseas operations.
WATCH: Christie’s South Kensington chairman Nic McElhatton makes emotional speech at saleroom’s final auction
19 July 2017The final auction at Christie’s South Kensington took place today with a 466-lot ‘Interiors’ sale rounding off the saleroom’s 42-year history. Before offering the final two lots of the sale, chairman of CSK Nic McElhatton made an emotional speech to bid farewell to one of London’s most popular auction venues.
Dealers and auctioneers banned from adding card charges to buyers in UK law change
19 July 2017New rules coming into force in January 2018 mean that dealers and auctioneers can no longer add extra charges to cover credit or debit card fees when processing transactions.
Busy bar scene by Norman Cornish takes £16,000 in Yorkshire auction
18 July 2017The second highest ever price at auction for ‘pitman painter’ Norman Cornish (1919-2014) was set at the latest sale held at Tennants in Leyburn, Yorkshire.
Rossetti ‘Lady Lilith’ portrait returns from Japan and sells for £560,000 at auction
17 July 2017A Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882) portrait of his mistress Fanny Cornforth led Sotheby’s latest sale of Victorian, Pre-Raphaelite & British Impressionist Art in London.
Money laundering: know the rules
17 July 2017The art and antiques sector is a target for money launderers and the industry must be aware of new regulations, a leading anti-corruption group has said.