International

About 80% of the global art market by value takes place outside the UK. The largest art market in the world is the US with China in third place (after the UK) followed by France, Germany and Switzerland.

Many more nations have a rich art and antiques heritage with active auction, dealer, fair, gallery and museum sectors even if their market size by value is smaller.

Read the top stories and latest art and antiques news from all these countries.

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TEFAF and BADA fairs: Final preparations underway as dealers discuss Brexit

13 March 2019

As TEFAF Maastricht and BADA fairs get underway, organisers and exhibitors tell ATG that immersion in art and antiques is the perfect antidote to the political crisis unfolding in Westminster.

‘La Jeunesse de Bacchus’ (Youth of Bacchus) by William-Adolphe Bouguereau

Bouguereau’s 20ft painting – Masterly example of French Academic painting to be offered at Sotheby’s Impressionist and Modern evening sale

13 March 2019

Sotheby’s is to offer what it deems “the most important work of William-Adolphe Bouguereau’s celebrated career” as part of the Impressionist & Modern art evening sale in New York on May 14.

‘Meditation, Zanzibar’ by Irma Stern

Irma Stern portrait leads South African politician’s collection of works being offered at Cape Town auction

13 March 2019

Two private collections of South African art have yielded works by some of the leading names in the market to Strauss’ sale in Cape Town on March 18.

Court claim challenging New York ivory laws reinstated in the US

12 March 2019

A US court claim challenging a 2014 New York law banning the sale of antique ivory by the Art and Antique Dealers League of America and the National Art and Antique Dealers Association of America has been reinstated due to amendments made to the case.

Sotheby's

Auction house Sotheby’s celebrates 275 years by ringing the New York Stock Exchange opening bell and launching London exhibition

11 March 2019

Sotheby’s held its very first auction on March 11, 1744, and today it is celebrating this 275-year milestone with the opening of an exhibition detailing its history in pictures.

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Princess Diana complains about ‘too much media attention’ in letter for sale at Swann Auction Galleries in New York

11 March 2019

Letters from Princess Diana written in the late 1980s and early 90s to a leading fashion magazine editor are coming to auction in New York.

Bonhams

Bonhams introduces 27.5% premium threshold to "reflect the cost of bringing objects to global auctions”

11 March 2019

Auction house Bonhams has raised its buyer’s premium levels, adding a new threshold of 27.5% on the first £2500/$3000 of the hammer price.

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Pick of the week: Sumptuous marquetry table cabinet makes its mark at Fonsie Mealy auction

11 March 2019

Although catalogued as 18th century, this marquetry table cabinet – sold for a multi-estimate sum in Ireland last week – is more probably late 16th or early 17th century.

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Wright of Derby portrait of Captain Bayly bought by Virginia's Colonial Williamsburg collection at Sotheby's

11 March 2019

Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia has acquired a Joseph Wright of Derby (1734-97) portrait of an Irish veteran of the French and Indian War. The foundation bought it at Sotheby’s Old Master day sale in London in December when it sold for £40,000 plus premium.

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TEFAF chooses new global chair for ‘independent’ vetting committees

11 March 2019

Ahead of the Maastricht fair on March 16-24, TEFAF has appointed a new global chairman of vetting.

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Panel discoveries post six-figure prices in American sale

11 March 2019

Two early panel paintings, one German, the other Cretan, emerged from a Florida collection to sell for six-figure prices at the Premier Auction at Brunk (20% buyer’s premium) in Asheville, North Carolina, on January 28. Both were new discoveries by rare artists.

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Irma Stern portraits from two collections headline Strauss sale in Cape Town

11 March 2019

Strauss is holding its latest auction in Cape Town on March 18. Running to more than 600 lots, it offers a wide mix of material: 19th century, post-war and contemporary art, antiques and decorative arts, Asian works and jewellery.

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Price is far from the end of the world for Durer Apocalypse

11 March 2019

Conducted by Christie’s Paris (25/20/12.5% buyer’s premium) in collaboration with Bertrand Meaudre of Paris dealer Librairie Landarchet, a February 20 sale featured the dispersal of the library of Marc Litzler for a premium-inclusive total of €4.4m (£3.82m).

New York Asian showcase celebrates its 10th anniversary

11 March 2019

Spring celebration in New York of the Asia’s art and antiques marks a landmark birthday.

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Asia Week New York auction highlights including the Chenn Family collection of Chinese paintings at Heritage Auctions

11 March 2019

A selection of highlights from auctions being held either as part of or timed to coincide with Asia Week New York.

British and Irish book auctions: March 12-23, 2019

11 March 2019

ATG’s calendar of book auctions taking place in the UK and Ireland from March 12-23, 2019.

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Asia Week New York dealer shows including Indian paintings at Francesca Galloway's exhibition

11 March 2019

At look at highlights from some of the dealer shows which are held as part of the Asia Week New York spring fest.

Sotheby's

UK moves up to second place in global art market as China’s growth slows

08 March 2019

The UK’s art market reclaimed its second position in the global league table as China’s rapid growth slowed during 2018.

Beeston

Norfolk auction house relaunch, Henry Aldridge & Son changes, Fellows fine jewellery and Artcurial's online-only sales - the latest business news from across the auction houses

08 March 2019

Norfolk sisters Catherine and Shelley-Anne Wilford have launched Beeston Auction House after the retirement of the owners of Townsend Auction Galleries.

apostle spoon

What lots caught bidders’ eyes in the last week? Five auction highlights including a silver spoon from 1528 that drew spectacular bidding

08 March 2019

ATG’s selection of hammer highlights over the past week include a Henry VIII apostle spoon making ten times estimate at an auction in Leicestershire, and a huge Minton majolica urn bringing similar levels of competition in Ireland.

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