It’s early days yet, but those competing for the dozen or so potentially liable lots at Dreweatt Neate on March 1 did not seem deterred when bidding in the hundreds of pounds.
There were, however, dire mutterings at the back of the room between some dealers about the iniquities of ‘dictatorial measures’ foisted on the UK by Europe.
As Scott Reyburn explains in this week’s Art Market, some rooms have still to decide exactly how they will administer the right, but Dreweatt Neate appeared to have it pretty well taped from the first.
There were saleroom notices pinned up all round, with copies for bidders at the back, listing all potentially affected lots, and auctioneer Victor Fauvelle began the sale with a special announcment, explaining the measure and offering to read out the list of lots if anyone wished. Noone raised their hand.
Again, when each of the relevant lots came up, Mr Fauvelle reminded bidders of their potential liability before the bidding started.
It fell to Lot 185, John Copnall’s (b.1926) 4ft x 2ft 31/2in (1.21m x 70cm) oil on board, Red Rock Structure, to pass the threshold first, with bidders on the book, the phone and in the room taking it way past its £400-600 estimate to sell for £2800 hammer on the phone.
Along with other charges, the buyer will now have to add £112 to the bill on behalf of the artist and collecting agency.
Trade take Droit de Suite on the chin in the provinces
DROIT de Suite, the much-dreaded Artist’s Resale Right, faced an early test at a Godalming picture sale last week, and slipped into the world of UK provincial auctions with barely a murmur.
