Ewbank’s
James Hammond.
Ewbank’s in Woking, Surrey, has hired James Hammond as its Asian art specialist and valuer. Hammond began his career as a porter at Christie’s in 1979, and lived in Tokyo, working with a Japanese auction house, before returning to the UK and joining Bonhams in Knightsbridge as head of the Asian art department. He worked for Bonhams in London, Tokyo and Singapore. Highlights from his career include the sale of the early Ming, blue and white, Xuande brushwasher from the Edward T Chow Collection in 1992.
Martel Maides Auctions
Jonathan Voak.
Guernsey’s Martel Maides auction house has hired art specialist and valuer Jonathan Voak to represent the firm in Jersey.
Voak was previously at the Victoria and Albert Museum where he was a curator before joining its subsidiary Apsley House, The Wellington Museum on London’s Hyde Park Corner as manager. From 1997 he has run his firm Atelier in Jersey with his wife Colette, dealing in oil paintings from the 17th to early 20th century as well as watercolours, drawings and etchings. In 2005 he became a member of the British Antique Dealers’ Association (BADA).
James Bridges, managing director of Martel Maides, said: “We have been helping Jersey clients for several years, but with Jonathan’s appointment we will be able to significantly grow this relationship.”
The Channel Islands firm was established in 1976.
Sotheby’s
Jonny Fowle.
Jonny Fowle has joined Sotheby’s as its first-ever spirits specialist. He has worked in the whisky trade for a number of years in roles including a whisky trainer for hotel companies, an ambassador for whisky brands and a whisky broker.
Jamie Ritchie, worldwide head of Sotheby’s Wine, said: “Historically, spirits were integrated into our wine auctions and constituted a small part of our business. Over recent years, we have seen increasing sales of both Scotch and Japanese whiskies, as well as Moutai [a Chinese spirit], which now represents about 5% of our business. Jonny will focus on developing spirits as a separate category and growing this area of the business through single-owner live auctions, online auctions and direct sales of high-value bottles and casks.”
In 2018, Sotheby’s reported sales of wine and spirits had exceeded $100m for the first time.
Heritage Auctions
Pete Howard.
Heritage Auctions has hired music-industry veteran and journalist Pete Howard. He will join its entertainment team as entertainment and music consignment director specialising in concert posters.
Alderfer Auction
The team at Pennsylvania auction house Alderfer Auction.
Pennsylvania auction house Alderfer Auction has hired Hayley Schaffer as online onsite coordinator, Joanna Childs as cataloguer and Bonnie Childs as logistics lead.
