Latest News Articles by Laura Chesters

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Appeal to trade to help locate furniture after antiques dealer’s van stolen in Walthamstow

19 November 2018

An antiques dealer is appealing to the trade to help locate stolen stock.

BADA tweaks fair vetting panels – but defends use of dealers after TEFAF change

19 November 2018

Dealer association BADA has introduced changes to the vetting committee of its fairs to “ensure independence”. While dealers can still hold vetting positions, the chairs of 16 specialist sub-committees must now be non-exhibitors.

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Six auctions to watch this week (November 19-25, 2018) with lots including a Medieval manuscript and a large Delftware collection

19 November 2018

From manuscripts and Delftware to cabinets and combs, here are six previews from upcoming sales this week.

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Asian Art in London to overhaul awards after authenticity of 'best object' winner questioned

19 November 2018

The organisers of Asian Art in London are to abandon the event’s ‘best objects’ award after doubt was cast on the authenticity of one of this year’s winners. The Danish auctioneer which won the award however is standing by the Yuan attribution for the flask after conducting a scientific test.

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UK issues export bar for 18th century Indian watercolour miniature of “outstanding aesthetic importance”

17 November 2018

The UK government has issued an export bar for Nainsukh of Guler’s ‘Trumpeters’, valued at £550,000.

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Famous ‘Fallen Madonna With The Big Boobies’ painting from 1980s comedy ‘Allo ‘Allo comes to auction in Bristol

16 November 2018

One of the UK’s most famous ‘Old Master’ paintings is coming to auction in Bristol estimated at £5000-10,000. ‘Allo ‘Allo’s 'Fallen Madonna With The Big Boobies' is to be offered at East Bristol Auctions next month.

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Tim Wonnacott

Former Bargain Hunt presenter Tim Wonnacott to auction his own personal collection

13 November 2018

Tim Wonnacott is to auction his collection of more than 250 items at Sworders in Stansted Mountfitchet next month.

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Five items to watch at auctions this week including a René Lalique belt buckle featured on the BBC's Antiques Roadshow

12 November 2018

From a René Lalique belt buckle featured on the BBC's Antiques Roadshow in April to a vase celebrating George III’s recovery from illness, here are five highlights from upcoming sales this week.

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Four luxury sales for your diary from a Rolex watch to Catherine Deneuve’s wardrobe

12 November 2018

‘Pre-owned’ luxury items are in demand and here is a selection of handbags and gladrags coming up for sale.

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Online giant AbeBooks to continue trade in four countries after dealers remove books from site

12 November 2018

A mass boycott by more than 580 book dealers across 27 countries has forced AbeBooks to U-turn on its planned withdrawal from four countries.

Books

Amazon-owned AbeBooks u-turns on plan to quit trading in four countries after boycott by more than 550 book dealers

07 November 2018

A backlash against Amazon-owned AbeBooks over the online book portal’s decision to quit selling in a number of countries has forced the company to backtrack on its plans.

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Auction house Lyon & Turnbull launches whisky department to tap into growing sector

07 November 2018

Lyon & Turnbull is to launch regular, dedicated whisky sales at its Edinburgh saleroom as the sector reaches an “all-time high”.

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Duke and Duchess of Windsor snap from ‘Jumpology’ photo shoot comes to auction

06 November 2018

Photographer Phillipe Halsman loved to take photos of famous people jumping. He once said: “Starting in the early 1950s I asked every famous or important person I photographed to jump for me. I was motivated by a genuine curiosity.

Paul Martin

Can wheeler dealers become antique dealers? Former Flog It! presenter Paul Martin launches new BBC show

05 November 2018

TV presenter and antiques specialist Paul Martin has kept himself busy following the announcement that Flog It!, the show he presented for 17 years, has been scrapped.

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Global bookseller protest against Amazon-owned AbeBooks begins after decision to quit four countries

05 November 2018

The backlash against Amazon-owned AbeBooks over the online book portal’s decision to quit selling in four countries has escalated to an online protest.

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Gas explosion causes blaze at Nottingham Cattle Market but auction house Arthur Johnson unaffected

05 November 2018

A blaze broke out in four buildings at Nottingham Cattle Market after gas cylinders exploded yesterday evening.

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AbeBooks ‘not suitable sponsor’ for ABA as giant quits four markets

05 November 2018

The Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association (ABA) has scrapped its sponsorship deal with Amazon-owned AbeBooks after the online book portal chose to quit selling in four countries.

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Five auctions to watch this week (November 5-11, 2018) featuring Star Wars' Walrus Man, Winston Churchill's hat and an Art Nouveau poster

05 November 2018

A Walrus Man Star Wars figure, a hat once belonging to Winston Churchill and an Art Nouveau poster are among our previews from upcoming sales this week.

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Overhaul business rates despite Budget reprieve, say trade bodies

05 November 2018

The UK art and antiques trade is calling for an overhaul of the “archaic and regressive system” of business rates and dismissed the Budget rates relief announcement as “too little too late”.