Art and antiques news from 2007

FAIRS are set to return to Alexandra Palace in North London, which for years was a favourite trade venue. The last Alexandra Palace fair was held on November 19, 2006.

SMALL in size but large in shock value, this portrait miniature stunned the Gorringes’ saleroom when it sold at £90,000 plus 17.5 per cent buyer’s premium on December 6.

It is only 3.25in (8cm) high, but it made more than any sculpture or antiquity ever offered at auction.

EU ruling may supersede court decision on eBay’s status

Bonhams are being sued in a case that could have a significant impact on contracts between vendors and auction houses.

Edinburgh auctioneers Lyon & Turnbull have been named among the runners up in the Bank of Scotland £25m Entrepreneur Challenge, a national competition designed to identify and support excellence in businesses.

SPECIALIST glass dealer Ron Wheeler is alerting the trade to a possible scam after being approached via email by someone looking for gifts.

SPINK have acquired the assets of Collectors Gallery and have appointed the managing partner of the dealership Mike Veissid as director for their new bond and share department.

EXHIBITORS and observers were shocked when Stephanie Dieckvoss, show manager of the Winter Olympia Fine Art & Antiques Fair, left Clarion Events, the show’s owners, just five days after the fair closed on November 18.

TREASURY plans to close tax loopholes for the wealthiest foreigners living in the UK could seriously damage the art market, it is feared.

Ten Mouseman stools were stolen from The Forresters Arms Hotel in Kilburn, North Yorkshire in the early hours of Monday, November 26.

THE British Museum were credited with uncovering the fraud that led to the jailing of serial faker Shaun Greenhalgh two weeks ago, while auction houses and the trade were criticised for selling his work.

A LARGE number of dealers at Antiquarius in London’s King’s Road will have to quit the premises next year following the landlord’s decision to redevelop half the property.

Among the highlights of Tennants’ Autumn Catalogue sale held in Leyburn on November 22-23 was this exceptional Victorian Egyptian revival table clock.

Russian week in London saw over ten sales offered at Sotheby’s, Christie’s, Bonhams and specialist Russian auctioneers MacDougall’s last week.

ONCE the largest city outside London, Norwich had its own silver assay office during three periods between 1565 and 1702.

Upwards of 150 people crammed into the top floor of The Texas Embassy restaurant off Pall Mall in London last week for the fourth annual Antiques Trade Pub Quiz.

THE 2007 Dealers Vs Auctioneers charity football match raised more than £10,600 in aid of Breast Cancer Haven.

A Kent dealer has fallen victim to a thief whose practised deception suggests he will strike again.

Islington Council say they have no powers to keep out clone stores