1) Fake or Fortune? returns to screens for its ninth season this month
BBC TV show Fake or Fortune? is returning later this month after filming progressed in between lockdowns.
Broadcaster Fiona Bruce and art dealer Philip Mould return to present Fake or Fortune? for the ninth series. Image credit: BBC Pictures.
2) Portobello dealers ‘left reeling’ as flood hits shops and arcades
Portobello Road dealers are cleaning up after “a month of rain in 90 minutes” flooded homes and businesses in the area.
Flood water engulfed the Portobello Road area on July 12. Image credit: Portobello Group.
3) Portrait by artist Sarah Biffin, born without hands, arms or feet, is among the latest pick of five auction highlights
Our weekly selection of items that caught bidders’ eyes includes a portrait by artist Sarah Biffin which sold for more than ten times its estimate.
A portrait miniature of an army officer by Sarah Biffin - £5800 at Wilson55.
4) French state buys infamous Marquis de Sade’s manuscript with help from a wealthy banker
France’s Ministry of Culture announced the acquisition by the state of the ‘120 days of Sodom’ by the Marquis de Sade and a number of other manuscripts.
The Marquis de Sade’s manuscript, '120 Days of Sodom'.
5) A slow recovery: stolen tortoises resurface after 29 years
Four Victorian bronze tortoises stolen from National Trust property Kingston Lacy in Dorset have been recovered nearly 30 years later.
National Trust property curator Dr Elena Greer admires two of the four recovered bronze tortoises by Carlo Marochetti. Photo credit: James Dobson.
This list is based on unique users for individual news stories over the period July 15-21, 2021.
