Art and antiques news from 2015

Christie’s has agreed to withdraw seven pictures, including two by Flemish painter Peter Paul Rubens, from its July 9 and 10 sales after owners the Alfred Beit Foundation asked to postpone their sale.

“The ivory ban has been a right old dampener on the market as a whole but after taking time to consider its implications, collectors are coming back.”

A fine 1875 vintage… never opened… so what did this bottle of wine sell for?

Online sellers who use eBay are the focus of fresh attempts by HM Revenue & Customs to crack down on tax evasion.

A couple of recently restituted works of art drew prolonged bidding at Sotheby’s evening sale of Impressionist and Modern art in London including Gustav Klimt's (1862-1918) portrait of Gertrud Loew which was the top lot of the night at £22m.

In the 1984 book ‘The Late Paintings and Drawings of John Constable’ by Graham Reynolds, a pencil drawing of the back and shoulders of the artist’s wife Mrs Maria Constable (nee Bicknell) is described as ‘whereabouts unknown’.

A Sir William Orpen nude is set to be the star lot at the relaunched Sotheby’s Irish Art sale in London on October 21.

Two senior members of the international auctioneering profession launch separate online-only ventures this week.

Parking restrictions imposed in and around Battersea Park for the first Formula E electric car race on June 27-28 may impact on visitors to the Masterpiece London fair, held nearby at the Royal Hospital Chelsea from June 25 to July 1.

The divergence in charges between the FAB model and the traditional model grows exponentially as prices rise. However, as this series of examples show, there is a lower threshold of around $5000 below which it is less cost effective.

The US Court of Appeals has ruled that the California Resale Royalty Act (CRRA) can stand but apply only to sales made within the state and not to those made out-of-state by California residents.

Asian Art has blossomed in Paris this month. Items that combined quality, rarity and provenance generated fierce bidding at sales at Drouot and the various salerooms around the French capital.

Noelle McElhatton has been appointed editor of Antiques Trade Gazette, replacing Ivan Macquisten who has left the magazine to establish a media consultancy.

The 11 dealers who share the space at Core One Antiques, just off London’s Kings Road have confirmed that, after 14 years, they will be closing their Gasworks premises on June 24. They have been unable to renew their lease due to the redevelopment of the riverside area adjacent to Chelsea Harbour Design District.

ATG speaks to Richard Green as he reflects on six decades as a dealer, his firm’s debut at ‘Masterpiece’ this month and how his sons have broadened his taste in art

Leeds University launch two resources for research and study into the British art and antiques market this week.

Kerry Taylor Auctions are selling the Celia Birtwell Collection on June 23 in Bermondsey, south London.

Auctioneers Bainbridges of Ruislip are selling a chalk and gouache drawing attributed to Thomas Gainsborough.

This still life by Dutch artist Cornelis de Heem (1631-95) has been returned to its historical home, The National Trust’s Dyrham Park in Gloucestershire. The painting was bought through London dealer Johnny Van Haeften for £574,000.

Bonhams are to close their Oxfordshire salerooms and move more merchandise to London as part of a further review of their regional operations.