Conservation and restoration firm Plowden & Smith will move to a new home next month which has been specially designed to accommodate its conservation work, including a larger climate-controlled room for storing sensitive objects. The new office in south-west London includes 11 studios and a room which is “environmentally-monitored, lit throughout with colour-corrected LED lighting… and a climate-controlled strong room”.
Plowden & Smith managing director Camilla Hughes-Hunt said: “For the past few years, the restrictions imposed on us by working in an historic building have proved incompatible with providing a high-quality service and the importance we place on reducing our carbon footprint.”
Antiques dealer John Bly has become a director of Where To Sell. The Aylesbury firm runs a website that lists objects and provides expertise from specialists on collectables and antiques with more than 300 item categories, linking to over 1300 auction houses and dealers.
Bly had already worked as an adviser to the firm and as director he will focus on “increasing awareness among sellers, auctioneers and specialist buyers”.
He said: “In the current climate people are becoming much more considered when selling their possessions. Platforms like eBay and Facebook Marketplace are great for convenience if you need to sell everyday items but when it comes to parting with those special heirlooms, how can you be sure you’re achieving its true value? Trust is invaluable to this process and that is exactly what we are providing to the market.”
Chiswick Auctions is launching a valuation service in Greece. The firm has appointed Minas Chatzichristou as a consultant to work with clients in the country who wish to consign items for sale in the UK. Chatzichristou is a Greek national with 25 years’ experience in the art industry.
Co-managing director of Chiswick Auctions William Rouse said: “Having Minas on board, with his experience and knowledge of the Greek art and auction market, will be pivotal in developing our reputation in Greece, a country rich in history and one which undoubtably will be a great source of high-quality art and antiques.”
Chiswick Auctions now has 20 departments and 60 specialists.
Robert Young Antiques has hired Royal College of Art graduate Erin Hughes to a newly created a role of Contemporary Collaborations Curator.
Battersea’s Robert Young Antiques has hired Royal College of Art graduate Erin Hughes to a newly created a role of contemporary collaborations curator. Young has been focused on “cross-pollinating selected antique pieces with contemporary art” and this hire takes that initiative a step further. Hughes, who was a co-founder of art projects Cypher Space in Berlin and Cypher Billboard in London, will launch the first of three exhibitions in 2019 in January. This autumn Young promoted Florence Grant to become the principal gallery associate to run its Battersea gallery. Ilse Oliestelder, the previous gallery director, has returned from maternity leave and will work alongside Grant, on a part-time basis leading on special projects.
