News

After four consecutive years of falls, the Antiques Collectors’ Club’s annual Antique Furniture Index stabilised in 2006, suggesting a bottoming out of antique furniture prices.

WE regret to announce the death on January 5 of long-time exhibitor and chairman of TEFAF Maastricht Dave Aronson. He was 60.

Helped by their stunning November series of New York art sales, Christie’s announced 2006 sales of £2.51bn including auction premiums. The figure – that includes more than £137m in private sales – is the highest in art auction history.

19th century furniture may not be the height of fashion, but this wine table is one of only a handful known to carry the label of Anton Seuffert, New Zealand’s premier cabinetmaker and inlayer. Many of the timbers seen to the 23in (58cm) diameter top are timbers native to New Zealand.

Already 2007 looks set to follow 2006 as the year of the dealer’s stock sale. As reported last week, renowned international style guru and interior decorator Keith Skeel is to follow in the footsteps of Partridge, Dick Turpin, and John Jesse by selling his collection of ‘antiques and eccentricities’ at auction.

ALMOST five years after the idea was first conceived by Florida entrepreneur David Lester, his luxury floating exhibition palace SeaFair is preparing for its maiden voyage in the summer.

Bonhams have announced the opening of a new office in Hong Kong and three sales slated for May at Asia World Expo, the new exhibition centre there.