“No one in the trade thought last year was a good year. It was challenging with uneven performances across regions and sectors.”
Clare McAndrew, founder of Arts Economics and author of The Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report, on the art market in 2016.
“Nicholas Snowman’s Cultural Gift is the most important donation of Fabergé ever made to a British public collection.”
Tristram Hunt, director of the Victoria & Albert Museum, on the recent donation from the collection of former Wartski chairman Kenneth Snowman.
“Clothes make the man, as someone once said, and people will have fun looking at the buying habits of some familiar names, as well as taking a serious look into a sustained historical record of social and business history in Oxford.”
Chris Fletcher of the Bodleian Libraries on its purchase of the ledgers of former Oxford shoe shop Duckers where J.R.R. Tolkien once shopped.
“It is widely appreciated across collecting categories, and was a source of inspiration for 20th century masters for its sleek and modern appeal.”
Christie’s G. Max Bernheimer discusses an ancient Anatolian marble figure, “Stargazer”, which is expected to reach more than £3m at auction in April.
“It was like the good old days of the 1980s. We were exceptionally busy and the sales flowed.”
Caroline Penman following the successful conclusion of the Chelsea Fair.
