Art and antiques news from 2008

Here’s one that didn’t get away. A major collection of antique fishing tackle comes to auction at Moore Allen & Innocent’s Cirencester saleroom on March 11 via an unusual route.

PROPERTY auctioneers Clive Emson have launched a fine arts division following the closure of auctioneers Hobbs Parker in Ashford, Kent.

The Society of Fine Art Auctioneers and Valuers are to award a £1000 prize in a competition for the best industry-related essay by a junior employee of a SOFAA-registered company.

SOTHEBY’S have closed the gap between themselves and Christie’s on worldwide sales in 2007, announcing a record $6.2bn of consoldiated sales to Christie’s $6.3bn.

Bottle specialists BBR have quickly uncovered what looks like a scam involving fake coloured ‘Chandler’ cottage inkwells.

THE global contemporary art market received an important shot in the arm in London last week as Sotheby's set the highest total ever seen for a contemporary art sale in Europe.

Asked to sell the contents of a holiday home in Sidmouth, Devon auctioneers Potburys were pleased to find this 181/2in (47cm) high cloisonné vase standing in the hearth as a container for fire irons.

A MAJOR policy shift by the Museums Association means British museums will now consider selling at auction as a way to safeguard core collections for the future.

Sotheby’s have announced the private treaty sale of a Guarneri del Gesu violin to the Russian businessman and collector, Maxim Viktorov.

THE price of precious metals surged last week as markets across the world continued to react to the high price of oil and the weak dollar.

Dealers say ARR is damaging emerging artists’ interests

Bonhams staged their first auction in France on February 9 with a sale of vintage automobiles at the Retromobile car fair in Paris.

Widespread concern over warrants that can ignore human rights

The significance of this unassuming oval cabochon emerald ring, is far greater than first appears.

Spink, the specialist London coin and stamp auctioneers, have announced auction revenues of £23.8m including premium for 2007.

DESPITE the Treasury’s review of new rules on tax for non-domiciles in the UK, questions remain over the status of offshore trusts.

DEALERS facing eviction from The Mall in Camden Passage are taking legal advice after the landlords submitted an application to the council to alter the interior of the building.

Knock-on effect of turbulence in money markets is less dramatic than feared at art auctions

A JUDGE’S ruling over an antique steel knife has challenged the policy of “Let the Buyer Beware” and may affect auctioneers’ cataloguing practices and their terms and conditions.

The appearance on the market of a piece of ‘A’ mark porcelain at Woolley and Wallis’s Salisbury rooms on June 4 will be an exciting occasion for English porcelain buffs, especially those of an academic persuasion.