Latest News Articles by Laura Chesters
Rare pre-First World War photographs of Winston Churchill painting come to auction in Bristol
14 May 2018Prime minister, politician, army officer, war journalist and writer - Winston Churchill had many talents, but it was while painting that he truly relaxed.
‘End of an era’ as Iconastas sells up
14 May 2018Dealer Chris Martin-Zakheim is selling his stock after closing Iconastas of Piccadilly due to ill health.
Antiques Roadshow regular David Battie to hold exhibition at Cotswold auction house Tayler & Fletcher
12 May 2018BBC Antiques Roadshow regular and Asian art expert David Battie is to host an exhibition and lecture at Cotswold auction house Tayler & Fletcher.
Criminals who targeted antique dealers finally jailed after 16 year crime spree
11 May 2018Two criminals who stole more than £300,000 of jewellery and antiques by targeting antiques dealers at their homes have been sentenced to six years and two months’ imprisonment each.
Napoleon’s Sèvres dessert service sells at $1.8m at Rockefeller auction in New York
10 May 2018A Sèvres dessert service commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte and known as the ‘Marly Rouge’ service has been sold for a premium-inclusive $1.84m (£1.36m) at Christie’s New York Rockefeller sale.
Derbyshire family and police call on antiques trade to help locate stolen artefacts from private chapel
10 May 2018A family are calling on the antiques trade to help them locate brass artefacts stolen from a private chapel in Walton upon Trent in Derbyshire.
Scottish Colourists collection comes to auction at Sotheby’s
09 May 2018Paintings by the renowned Scottish Colourists have been unveiled at the Art Club in Glasgow ahead of a single-owner collection auction next month.
Church Street raises market profile as Alfies turns east
07 May 2018North-west London’s Church Street is strengthening its events calendar and increasing the variety of dealers with a series of initiatives to attract customers.
Pick of the Week: Microscope looks good at £88,000
07 May 2018A rare 18th century variable microscope by eminent instrument maker George Adams sold for £88,000 at specialist science and early technology auctioneer Flints (20% + VAT buyer’s premium).
Sotheby’s reports 19% jump in turnover after private sales and Hong Kong auctions boost
04 May 2018Auction house Sotheby’s has reported a 70% jump in private sales in the first three months of 2018 to $247m (£182m).
Surge in demand for art-secured loans as access to finance for art and antiques dealers remains poor
04 May 2018Nearly 90% of art and antiques dealers want easier ways to borrow money to fund purchases and nearly a third believe the lack of available lending hampers growth, according to a recent report.
British Museum launches Egyptian antiquities database to track looted artefacts
04 May 2018A database of Egyptian and Nubian antiquities has been launched by the British Museum after it was awarded a government grant of nearly £1m.
Sir Stanley Spencer’s ‘majestic’ painting of Cookham regatta to be unveiled in public for first time in 60 years
01 May 2018A Sir Stanley Spencer painting will be shown in public for the first time in more than half a century ahead of its auction at Sotheby’s.
BDO report hits out at Mossgreen management
30 April 2018The administrator BDO’s report into the collapse of Mossgreen has recommended that the Australian auction house’s former management be investigated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) over possible criminal activities.
New money laundering regulation a “disproportionate burden” on art and antiques businesses
27 April 2018A European Union update to current anti-money laundering regulation designed to tackle terrorist financing risks will place an extra administrative burden on art and antiques businesses, warn trade associations.
Menu for first ever meal onboard the Titanic makes auction record
25 April 2018A menu for the first ever meal on the Titanic, a steward’s badge and a letter written on board have all made top prices at auction in Wiltshire.
Mossgreen consignors free to collect goods without facing charges from administrator BDO
25 April 2018The administrator to collapsed Australian auction house Mossgreen has lost a court case over fees which means goods can be returned to their rightful owners without fees being due.
Shortlist announced for London Original Print Fair museums’ acquisitions prize
24 April 2018The London Original Print Fair (LOPF) has shortlisted five institutions for this year’s acquisition award. The successful entrant will win £8000 to spend at the fair which takes place at the Royal Academy of Arts on May 3-6.
Online market expects competitive year with growth at 12%
23 April 2018The online art market’s growth is slowing but the use of mobile phones to buy art continues to increase.
New York trade takes state’s ivory ban to court
23 April 2018A New York law banning the sale of antique ivory has been challenged in court by two leading US antiques dealers associations.