Challenge to US ivory ban moves on
A US lawsuit by the Art and Antique Dealers League of America and the National Art and Antique Dealers Association of America challenging a 2014 New York law banning the sale of antique ivory was given the green light on August 14 to move to the next stage.
The court claim alleges that New York’s ivory ban is unconstitutional as it restricts ‘commercial speech’. The 2014 law made it illegal to sell, purchase, trade, barter, or otherwise distribute elephant ivory and rhinoceros horn within the state.
Seine scene heads to National Gallery
A view of the River Seine by Richard Parkes Bonington (1802-28) has entered the collection of The National Gallery in London under the acceptance in lieu scheme. The allocation offset £643,365 of inheritance tax due from the previous owner’s estate.
A view of the Seine by Richard Parkes Bonington has entered the collection of the National Portrait Gallery. Photo: The National Gallery, London.
Only a couple of works by Bonington have ever made more than this sum at auction according to Art Sales Index, including a coastal landscape that sold for £2.15m (plus premium) at Christie’s in 2015, the current auction record for the artist.
View on the River Seine – Morning, a 12 x 13¾in (30 x 35cm) oil on millboard from 1825-6, is now the second painting by Bonington to enter The National Gallery’s collection. The first was La Ferté, from 1824-5, also allocated under the acceptance in lieu scheme in 2012.
Gee promoted at Stanley Gibbons
The Stanley Gibbons Group has appointed Anthony Gee, currently its interim chief financial officer (CFO), as its permanent CFO. Gee joined the company in 2012.
The company has been restructuring since May 2016 with a focus on reducing its debts and sold a number of subsidiaries. It now concentrates on its stamp business Stanley Gibbons, coin and medal dealer Baldwin’s and auction joint venture Baldwin’s of St James’s.
Spotlight shines on De Morgan duo
The De Morgan Foundation is launching a series of initiatives to bring the works of Evelyn De Morgan (1855-1919) and her husband William (1839-1917) to a wider audience.
From September many of the collection’s 60 oil paintings, 800 ceramics and its archive of materials from the artists will be available digitally. The foundation will launch on the Google Arts & Culture platform with Evelyn’s paintings and its new website will display the extensive works of both artists.
The website will also allow booking for exhibitions where De Morgan works are being shown. Upcoming events include Look Beneath the Lustre at Wightwick Manor in Wolverhampton from September 1, A Family of Artists from August 22 at Cannon Hall in Barnsley and Decoration or Devotion? at The Watts Gallery in Surrey from August 30.
Restoration firm launches auctions
Shropshire motor restoration company Classic Motor Cars is to hold its first auction. In partnership with Loveridge Agents and Auctioneers, it will host the sale at its Bridgnorth, Shropshire, premises on October 5-6. No seller’s commission will be charged and buyer’s premium is 15%.
Monet Venice view out on export hold
Claude Monet’s Le Palais Ducal has been temporarily blocked from export in the hope that a UK buyer can raise the £28.2m needed.
'Le Palais Ducal', 2ft 8 x 3ft 1in (81 x 93cm) oil on canvas by Claude Monet (1840-1926) painted in 1908 and finished by 1912, now subject to a temporary export bar.
Arts minister Rebecca Pow placed the temporary bar on the picture after an export application was made. The painting was sold at Sotheby’s Impressionist and Modern art auction in London on February 26 for a hammer price of £24m.
Sotheby’s said at the time that the price was an auction record for a Venetian view by Monet (1840-1926). The asking price of £28.2m is the auction price including fees and VAT.
The decision to block the export follows the advice of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest (RCEWA).
The decision on the application will be deferred until November 8 and could be extended until May 8, 2020.
Most read
The most viewed stories for week August 8-14 on antiquestradegazette.com
1 Fake or Fortune? investigation reveals possible Giorgio de Chirico painting is “worthless”
2 Wright Marshall’s fine art auction business to close as no buyer found
3 Hansons moves into Georgian mansion in Staffordshire
4 Fabergé sedan chair model comes to auction in Cirencester
5 Chinese vase sleeper awakens with £200,000 bid at Felixstowe auction
In Numbers
10
The number of years the LAPADA Art & Antiques Fair has been held at Berkeley Square in London. The trade association celebrates this anniversary as well as its own 45-year landmark during the event from September 13-18.
