Latest News Articles by Alex Capon
Reclusive Woodrow emerges in Yorkshire
21 September 2020North Yorkshire saleroom Tennants (20% buyer’s premium) has a solid track-record with the artist Joash Woodrow (1927-2006). Eight of his top 10 auction prices are held by the Leyburn saleroom (source: Artprice by Artmarket).
The normal new: Contemporary art remains at the core of auction and retail market
21 September 2020To seasoned observers, the market for Post-War and Contemporary art might not seem as novel as it once did. Sales in this area are now a core part of the auction calendar and the field has been regarded as having the highest potential for growth for over two decades.
Grayson Perry’s 'The best of British' taken to new high at Phillips
21 September 2020An auction record for Grayson Perry’s (b.1960) 'Britain is Best', a limited edition coloured embroidery depicting five loyalists from East Belfast, was set at Phillips (25% buyer’s premium) in London on September 10.
Military Cross awarded to Iraq war hero sells at Adam Partridge
18 September 2020Military medals from recent conflicts continue to attract great interest at auction, even if it is a great shame that veterans from these wars have to sell their medals during their own lifetime.
Speed dating: Bidders rapidly assess signs of age in hunt for undervalued material
14 September 2020When it comes to Old Masters, sleeper spotters will trawl through auction catalogues looking to spot works of an earlier date than specified.
Bidders give their royal approval at Bellmans' sale
14 September 2020Provenance of the Duke of Gloucester adds extra appeal to single-owner collection
Hooray for the hussars: Duke of Gloucester's regimental collection brings demand
14 September 2020The collection of pictures formerly owned by Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, offered at Bellmans included 42 lots relating to the 10th Royal Hussars.
Interest from overseas bidders lifts Banksy prints market to higher level
09 September 2020Forum Auctions’ latest dedicated sale of Banksy (b.1974) prints was a white glove affair with all 24 lots selling and 22 individual auction records set for the editions to which they belong.
Auction house Christie’s to sell Old Masters from collection of late Italian dealer
08 September 2020Christie’s is staging an online auction of works formerly in the collection of the late Old Master dealer Piero Corsini.
Major general sought after by militaria fans
07 September 2020A group of three watercolours depicting Indian scenes attributed to Major General John Brownrigg Ballasis (1806-90) attracted interest at a timed sale held this summer by 1818 Auctioneers (20% buyer’s premium) in Milnthorpe, Cumbria.
Himalayan raja rises to £4600 when reoffered
07 September 2020An intriguing Indian miniature portrait drew strenuous competition against an estimate of just £30-50 at Clarke’s (18% buyer’s premium) in Shaftesbury, Dorset.
Indian miniatures expand appeal as demand grows on the subcontinent
07 September 2020Indian miniatures are a common sight at UK auctions. With a keen, dedicated and often very knowledgeable collecting base, they remain a somewhat independent but active sub-set of the art market.
Contemporary art duo draw strong interest at Roseberys
03 September 2020Roseberys’ (25% buyer’s premium) latest sale of Modern & Contemporary British art had a stronger focus than usual on works from the second half of the 20th century.
Klimt drawing from Beethoven Frieze makes £32,000 at Chiswick Auctions
31 August 2020A drawing by Gustav Klimt (1862-1918) sold to a phone bidder for £32,000 (plus 25% buyer’s premium) at Chiswick Auctions last week.
Gustav Klimt sketch for the Beethoven Frieze emerges at Chiswick Auctions
25 August 2020A drawing by Gustav Klimt is being offered at Chiswick Auctions this week.
Bonhams sticks to early offering
24 August 2020While Sotheby’s and Christie’s shifted their main Old Master offerings to the end of July, Bonhams (27.5/25/20/13.9% buyer’s premium) maintained its auction earlier in the month with a sale in New Bond Street on July 7-8.
Even Old Masters have to wait
24 August 2020Leading works held back until mixed-category July auctions in a drawn-out sales season.
Scotland tightens the rules on face coverings at auctions
17 August 2020The Scottish government has updated its guidance on face coverings.
18th century French gift box and Edward the Confessor silver penny are among the five lots to watch at auction this week
17 August 2020With estimates from £180-9000 here are five previews of upcoming items this week.
Brangwyn pushes the boat out
17 August 2020A group of works on paper generated decent action at Keys’ (20% buyer’s premium) online-only sale of 20th Century design and modern art this summer.