News topics

Referring to the UK’s near-total ban on selling antique ivory objects, would the beautiful Vizagatapam, India, c.1830-50, ivory chess set in the collection of Mr Holger Langer (Collector Interview, ATG No 2550) be classed as museum quality?

Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions.

US museum curators and collectors were among the buyers at London Art Week (LAW) this month.

Bishop & Miller is expanding into Norfolk this autumn with a new saleroom and team.

A remarkable Sèvres part tea service made to mark the recovery of George III from illness in 1789 was among the unheralded highlights of this year’s London sales season.

A suite of solid ivory and gilt furniture sold by Christie’s on July 7 appears to be the first auction lot to benefit from the exemption to the Ivory Act allowing the sale of items of ‘outstandingly high artistic, cultural and historical value’.

It was rather thin pickings at the latest series of Old Master auctions in London.

The major summer sales of works of art included a boxwood prayer nut and Rothschild provenanced vases.

Despite appearing in a 1930s photograph held in the MAK Museum, Vienna, this wood carving of Adam and Eve seems to have hitherto eluded scholars of the German woodcarver Leonhard Kern (1588-1662).

Bonhams has closed its coin and medals department in London and specialist John Millensted will now work as a consultant to the firm.

The British Antique Dealers’ Association (BADA) has appointed Ashley Gallant as its new managing director.

Topping the bill at Dore & Rees in Frome, Somerset on July 6 was this 2in (5cm) archaeological revival brooch by Castellani.

A round-up of art and antiques news from the previous seven days, including the Chinese government halting the auction of a flask taken from the Summer Palace.