News


Categories

Art and antiques news from 2015

It was all change at the top in 2015 with Tad Smith replacing Bill Ruprecht as CEO of Sotheby's, Patricia Barbizet taking over from Stephen P Murphy as CEO of Christie's and Matthew Girling moving up to the role of global CEO at Bonhams.

Stephan Ludwig and Ian Goldbart, creators of the group of businesses that include Dreweatts, Baldwin's and Mallett, suddenly departed in the early autumn of 2015.

Dealer association BADA brought in an industry outsider as its new CEO - Marco Forgione, former head of events industry trade body EVCOM.

In other news, dealer Richard Green made his debut at Masterpiece in London, cementing the fair's place as a major event in the annual calendar.

The antiques industry waited nervously to see whether the newly elected Conservative government would carry out its manifesto pledge to "press for a total ban on ivory sales".

Dealer dies in Abingdon stabbing

14 December 2015

The art and antiques trade is mourning the loss of prints dealer Justin Skrebowski, who was murdered in what appears to have been a random knife attack in Abingdon.

Blackamoor waiter removed after Twitter backlash

14 December 2015

An antiques shop owner in Kent has removed a blackamoor sign from outside her shop after social media users claimed it was offensive.

15-12-11-2220NE02A Ewbanks auction John Snape.jpg

Stock lost in mill fire but centre could reopen before Xmas

11 December 2015

The owner of the Bourne Mill Antiques Centre, devastated by fire last month, is hopeful the lower part of the building can reopen later this month.

15-12-10-2220NE01A paul sandby bonhams auction.jpg

Sandby tops Hooton Pagnell dispersal

10 December 2015

Topping Bonhams Knightsbridge’s marathon nine-hour sale of items from Hooton Pagnell Hall in South Yorkshire was this 20½in x 2ft 5in (52 x 76cm) watercolour and gouache work by Paul Sandby (1730-1809).

15-12-09-2220NE03A Bourne end auction Rolex wristwatch.jpg

£165,000 record for Great Escape Rolex

09 December 2015

A 1940s Rolex wristwatch whose RAF owner was murdered by the SS after the Great Escape has sold for £165,000 in Buckinghamshire.

15-12-08-2220NE06A antique narwhal tusk.jpg

Narwhal tusk returned by Border Force

08 December 2015

An antique narwhal tusk that faced destruction following a dispute over paperwork has been returned to its owner after a judge ruled its confiscation by customs had been “unreasonable”.

Newbury moves from course to showground

08 December 2015

International Antiques and Collectors Fairs (IACF) have announced a change of venue and format for their Newbury event.

15-12-07-2220NE05A sothebys russian auction.jpg

Russian art sales suffer from flatter demand

07 December 2015

The latest Russian art sales in London posted the weakest results in over a decade as a drop-off in both demand and supply brought a further downturn in the market.

15-12-07-2220PV06F Sworders Lady Croft.jpg

Helleu portrait emerges at Sworders

07 December 2015

Paul César Helleu (1859-1927) is best known for his Belle Epoque portraits of beautiful society women.

Like Day and Night – figures restored and sell at Bonhams

07 December 2015

A 21in (53cm) pair of late 19th century Meissen figures emblematic of Day and Night after the models by Heinrich Schwabe were sold by Bonhams in support of West Dean College’s full-time ceramics conservation programme.

15-12-07-2220NE04A horology John C Taylor.jpg

Harrison medal for horologist Taylor

07 December 2015

Dr John C Taylor, the horologist, inventor and clockmaker, has been given the Harrison Medal by the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers for his services to horology.

15-12-04-2219NE03A John Winter sothebys.jpg

John Winter sale at Sotheby’s recalls former director’s passion for Italy

04 December 2015

Sotheby’s will rekindle their connections with former director John Winter this month thanks to a 186-lot single-owner sale in New Bond Street.

15-12-03-2220IE05G JAWLENSKI.jpg

Modern masters head to Tajan’s sale in Paris

03 December 2015

This 11 x 7in (29 x 20cm) Tête de Femme by Alexej Von Jawlensky is one of over 170 works by a roster of some of the biggest names in modern and contemporary art that will feature in a two-part single-owner sale to be held by Tajan in Paris next week.

15-12-03-2219NE01A Sworders auction.jpg

Rangoon ‘exhibition’ bowl makes £11,500 in Essex

03 December 2015

A growing market for silver from the sub-continent culminated in a bid of £11,500 for this 9in (23cm) early 20th century Burmese bowl by Maung Yin Maung of Rangoon.

Ivory research project launched

03 December 2015

Senior figures from both UK dealing associations gave an impassioned defence of the antiques trade as a project seeking to gauge the impact of a ban on the sale of ivory works of art was launched in Westminster last week.

SOFAA issue new T&Cs for online selling

02 December 2015

In response to the new Consumer Rights Act, the Society of Fine Art Auctioneers have produced two different versions of their model terms and conditions – one for bricks and mortar ‘onsite’ auctions and another for online-only sales.

15-12-01-2219NE04X Abalarte auction.jpg

Spanish royalty on offer in Madrid

01 December 2015

A pair of royal portraits by the Spanish artist Miguel Jacinto Meléndez (1679-1734) go on sale at auction in Madrid this month.

15-12-01-2219NE06A Bourne Mill Antiques Centre.jpg

Devastating fire at Surrey centre

01 December 2015

A major fire has caused significant damage to Bourne Mill Antiques Centre, home to about 70 dealers in Farnham, Surrey.

15-11-30-2218NE02A majolica auction.jpg

Majolica masterpieces buck the trend

30 November 2015

Two versions of a celebrated German majolica tureen appeared for sale in a matter of weeks – both bringing sterling prices in an otherwise soft market for 19th century ceramics.

15-11-30-2218NE04A Lucian Freud archive.jpg

Modern British greats in focus: Freud archive and Bacon catalogue

30 November 2015

An archive comprising Lucian Freud’s sketchbooks, drawings and letters has been acquired by the nation from the estate of the artist through the Acceptance in Lieu Scheme.