News

THE ringleader of the notorious Johnson family gang, who played the key role in a series of audacious thefts at stately homes across the UK, faces an increased prison sentence.

ATG’s parent company, ATG Media, has agreed to provide the technology for the first live internet bidding site in Germany.

THE return of free-spending at the very top end of the art market continued apace at last week’s Impressionist and Modern sales series in New York as boom-time levels of bidding were seen on the blockbuster lots. For the second time this year, a new record was set for any artwork ever sold at auction.

BUSINESS is holding up well for members of the British Antique Dealers’ Association despite the recession. With a projected combined turnover of about £752m, the impact of the downturn has not been as heavy as feared.

THIS George IV silver-gilt presentation vase and stand by Philip Rundell, London 1823, was the highlight of the so-called Russell silver, a £250,000 cache of Regency plate by Paul Storr and Philip Rundell sold by Salisbury auctioneers Woolley & Wallis.

AN American collector who sued Sotheby’s, alleging they concealed a financial interest in, and inflated the price of, a painting that he bought for almost $10m, has lost his case.

THE first Victoria Cross awarded to a soldier in the British Army sold for £210,000 (plus 20 per cent buyer's premium) at Spink in London on April 22. The Conservative Party donor and VC collector Lord Ashcroft was beaten to the prize by an anonymous buyer.