Funds available to arts businesses
The UK government has made up to £1.57bn available for commercial arts businesses, which include art and antiques galleries and fairs. Grants and loans are available for commercial companies if they can prove they are no longer trading viably by the end of this financial year.
The first round of funding has closed but a second round of funding can be applied for up to September 4.
The money is available as part of the Culture Recovery Fund and is administered by Arts Council England.
For more details visit www.artscouncil.org.uk
Fairs called off due to Covid-19 effect
The British Art Fair has been called off in the face of coronavirus restrictions.
The event was planned to take place in late September at the Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea, featuring Modern and Contemporary British art.
Galloway Antiques Fairs announced last week that its event at Marlborough College, due to run from October 23-25, has also been cancelled because of restrictions.
Magical book back after long spell away
The Magic Circle has been reunited with a lost copy of a landmark work on magic. The 16th century book The Discoverie of Witchcraft by Reginald Scot is the earliest known book in English explaining how to perform magic.
'The Discoverie of Witchcraft' bought back by The Magic Circle.
The Magic Circle, a club for magicians, had owned the book but sold it over 30 years ago.
For the past five years the Circle has been in negotiations to buy it back from a private collector. The book is finally back on display in its Centre for the Magic Arts in Euston, London, after spending lockdown in the V&A where a specially designed display case was created.
Southon opens new consignment office
Catherine Southon Auctioneers, established in 2012, is moving to a larger consignment office next month.
It will relocate from Ripley Arts Centre in Bromley to a larger office space at Chislehurst Business Centre, Chislehurst, Kent.
The new site will be up and running from September 1. The firm holds auctions in Selsdon, Surrey.
L&T saleroom hosts book launch
Lyon & Turnbull is to host the launch of artist Lachlan Goudie’s new book, The Story of Scottish Art, published by Thames & Hudson.
The book covers 5000 years of Scottish creativity. As part of the launch on September 9, Lachlan will be interviewed by Scottish journalist and broadcaster Kirsty Wark.
The event will be broadcast live from 6.30pm on September 9 via lyonandturnbull.com.
Bonhams appoints Chinese art posts
Bonhams has appointed a new head of Chinese ceramics and works of art in the US.
Michael C Hughes, a specialist in Chinese art in New York, is joining Bonhams as vice president, head of department, Chinese Ceramics & Works Art in the US.
He previously ran his own company and prior to that spent over 16 years as a Chinese specialist with Christie’s.
Bonhams also announced the promotion of Bruce MacLaren to the post of vice president, senior specialist, Chinese paintings, US, and Chinese works of art.
He has been with Bonhams since 2010.
Heritage promotes ex-gallery owner
Heritage Auctions has promoted Leon Benrimon to vice president of Modern & Contemporary Art. Prior to joining Heritage, Benrimon ran his gallery Benrimon Contemporary in New York.
Leon Benrimon of Heritage.
Most read
The most viewed stories for week August 20-26 on antiquestradegazette.com
1 ‘Gandhi spectacles’ take £260,000 at Bristol auction
2 Rare Rolex Submariner watch sets house record for auction house Fellows
3 Minton Majolica bear that once appeared on the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow stars in our pick of five auction highlights sold this week
4 ATG letters: Sotheby’s ‘overhead’ fee – so what is the point of buyer’s premium?
5 Gustav Klimt sketch for the Beethoven frieze emerges at Chiswick Auctions
In Numbers
150
The number of lost performances from Top of the Pops found in a video tape archive to be offered by Omega Auctions on September 8-9. The footage had been captured from the TV by a Welsh gentleman using a Sony CV-2000, one of the first video tape recorders produced for home use.
