2013

‘Masterpiece London’ has appointed Nazy Vassegh as chief executive with immediate effect. This is a newly created position at the fair and, according to a statement released last week, Nazy’s role will be to build and develop the fair’s brand both nationally and internationally.

For the first time this year, ‘Master Paintings Week’ and ‘Master Drawings London’ will combine together under the new umbrella title of ‘London Art Week’ from June 28 to July 5.

Nestled among a 173-lot ‘time capsule’ collection from a Staffordshire estate offered at Hanson’s on January 12, the Old Master picture shown here proved to be the star performer of the sale by some considerable margin.

After a tough economic year, several French auction firms have now released their sales figures for 2012.

Since the announcement that the Young Guns of the antiques trade will be the focus of this year’s ‘National Antiques Week’ from April 20-28, many of the over 40s in the trade have been asking where this leaves them.

Police are appealing to antique collectors and dealers to contact them if they have come into contact with some valuable pieces which were stolen during a burglary in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire.

Antiques traders in the Oxfordshire area are being urged to be on their guard after a theft at Burford Antiques Centre.

This 19th century ceramic plaque painted with two duellists in sepia forms part of the collection of the late Bernard Popland, a former championship fencer.

Consigned to Special Auction Services on the back of the £76,000 Märklin ‘first series’ tinplate toy HMS Terrible they sold from the Ron McCrindell collection in April 2012, this Märklin tinplate battleship Sachsen will be offered in Greenham, near Newbury, on January 31.

Created by the 20th century Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto, this Paimio seat, with a model no. of 41, is to be included in Sworders’ Decorative Art Sale on January 29 in Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex.

These figures representing The Beatles were manufactured by Subbuteo, the name made famous by the series of table-top games mainly concerning football but also other types of sport.

The names Cartier and Paul Hubner of Augsburg guaranteed the quality of a lapel watch and parcel gilt cup, but their values were enhanced by the names of early 20th century celebrities when they were offered at a recent sale held by Sworders at Stansted Mountfitchet.

The fact that businessman Ken Manley chose to name his Scottish Grand National winning racehorse Moorcroft Boy provides a clue as to his favourite potter.

When in 1903 the Marconi Wireless Company began a public demonstration of its systems, an unwelcome message began to appear via the Morse printer: “There was a young man from Italy, who diddled the public so prettily…”

In what were far from easy trading conditions, the UK’s top tier of regional salerooms enjoyed a largely positive 2012.

Getting the New Year off to a good start at Addisons of Barnard Castle, County Durham, a 20th century blue and white porcelain table screen by the renowned Chinese ceramic artist Wang Bu (1898-1968) improved upon an estimate of just £130-150 to sell for £34,300.

Young people making their way in the art and antiques business will be the main focus of this year’s ‘National Antiques Week’ (April 20-28).

A fresh discovery of artefacts in a Staffordshire field where the famous 2009 hoard was found has been declared treasure and part of the hoard.

A 66-year-old man who faked the signatures of Winston Churchill and other famous writers was sentenced to ten months in jail at Southampton Crown Court on December 21.

A new valuation and wealth management service based in London has launched a mobile app to help customers manage their collections.