Information Guides
Practical advice and information for auctioneers, dealers and collectors. The items listed here are designed to provide a general guide.
Artist’s Resale Right
When looking at modern art offered at auction or by a dealer, prospective purchasers will typically come across a note: “Subject to ARR”. ARR stands for Artist’s Resale Right.
Auction Guide
Auctions offer a wealth of interesting material and, more and more, people are discovering that they are a good source of furnishings at much less than retail cost.
Data Protection – GDPR 2018
A guide for art market businesses to General Data Protection Regulation 2018, a new set of EU-wide rules that from May 2018 will govern the way organisations gather and use people’s details.
Determining Value
You may think age, rarity and craftsmanship are what make for a desirable antique or artwork... and largely you'd be right. But these are by no means the only determinants of value. Here are some other factors to consider.
Endangered Species
The trade in endangered species in the UK is governed by the United Nations Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna.
Export Licences
When art and antiques are bought and sold above certain the value thresholds, it is necessary to obtain licences to export these items from the UK.
Hallmarks
Silver hallmarks in the UK date back to the medieval period and the practice of applying them as a guarantee of the purity of the precious metal represents Britain’s oldest form of consumer protection.
Historical Periods
Art and antiques are often categorised by age and period. Here is a list of the English, French, American, Chinese and Japanese main historical periods.
Money Laundering Regulations
The art and antiques sector is often said to be an “attractive market” for money laundering and has been identified by lawmakers as one of the industries that needs to be extra vigilant in guarding against it.
Shipping and Insurance
When it comes to transporting fine art and antiques, there are plenty of shipping companies who offer services specially tailored for the industry.
Top Ten Prices
ATG's table of the highest prices for art
UK Ivory Ban
In April 2018 the UK government announced that it would introduce an ivory ban with a small number of exemptions for certain items containing ivory. Enforcement of the ban began on 6 June 2022.
Weights and Measures
Your guide to how the key metrics and measurements for the art and antiques sector