News

Byrne's of Chester are moving to premises outside the city centre, bringing to a close a long tradition of auctioneering at Booth Mansion. Partners Adrian Byrne and Jo Boucher expect their move to Pullman House, a new purpose-designed saleroom at The Sidings, Saltney, will be completed by the end of March.

Stephen and Iona Joseph began collecting and dealing in primitive animal portraits more than 30 years ago and as Iona Antiques were well-known exhibitors at top antiques fairs both here, where they were regulars at Grosvenor House, and in the United States. However, since Stephen Joseph died last year his wife has decided to stop dealing and is selling her collection at Bonhams on March 21.

THE Thames Valley Antique Dealers Association has cancelled its Spring TVADA Fair scheduled for March 31 to April 2 at The Reading Blue Coat School, Sonning on Thames, Berkshire.

The Great Grooms brand of upmarket antiques centres is to move to London’s Furniture Cave.

It was catalogued simply as “a carved and signed ivory netsuke modeled as a dragon” and estimated at just £200-300, but this 11/2in (4.5cm) netsuke shot to £41,000 (plus 15 per cent premium) at Paul Beighton of Thurcroft, near Rotherham on February 26. Why? The reason was twofold.

He’s used to wrestling with evil wizard Lord Voldemort, but for Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe there’s more magic in owning a family tree hand-written by J.K. Rowling.

HENRY Sandon, the acknowledged leading authority on Worcester porcelain, has been awarded the Freedom of the City of London. The ceremony took place at the Guildhall on February 28, where Mr Sandon then gave the annual Ravenscroft lecture at Glaziers Hall SE1, an event staged by the Glass-Sellers’ Company.