Law, crime and regulation

Legal cases, stolen art, regulation and tax issues remain important part of the art and antiques sector.

This category ranges from the levy of the Artist’s Resale Right to controversies over fakes and forgeries.


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Export of harpsichord by Joseph Mahoon put on hold by minister

21 January 2019

The owner of an 18th century double-manual harpsichord, the only one of its type known to exist, has been temporarily prevented from exporting it in the hope a UK buyer can be found.

Defra issues import and export warning for CITES-listed natural history specimens in the event of a No deal Brexit

17 January 2019

CITES-listed natural history specimens will no longer be able to pass through Dover or the Eurotunnel in the event of a No deal Brexit, the government has warned.

Gallery takes legal action against Christie’s over private sale of Francis Bacon painting

16 January 2019

A legal claim lodged against Christie’s in New York has highlighted some of the practices relating to private sales that top-end auctioneers make behind closed doors.

Harpsichord

Government issues export bar for 18th century harpsichord in hope of finding UK buyer

15 January 2019

The owner of an 18th century double-manual harpsichord, the only one of its type known to exist, has been temporarily prevented from exporting the instrument by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

Natural history specimens: Article 10 numbers now essential in catalogue descriptions

14 January 2019

New rules are now in force regarding the sale of those natural history specimens that require Article 10 certificates.

Parliament

Trade associations to mount survey on financial impact of ivory ban

14 January 2019

Art market trade bodies are commissioning a survey to assess the potential financial impact on buyers, sellers and collectors of antique ivory of a law that will usher in a near-total ban on the UK ivory trade.

Trade associations to mount survey on financial impact of ivory ban

14 January 2019

Antiques trade bodies are stepping up their plans for a judicial review of the Ivory Act that will come into law later this year.

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Keeping up to date with CITES: An update from expert Kim McDonald of The Taxidermy Law Company

14 January 2019

The laws surrounding antiques made with the parts of endangered species are subject to frequent change. Kim McDonald of The Taxidermy Law Company provides a refresher guide...

Christie’s saleroom in Paris

Christie’s wins fight in France to charge resale right on buyers not sellers

07 January 2019

Supreme Court in Paris rules that auction house can now charge buyers rather than sellers for artist levy.

ATG letter: Listen to Mr Spock to decide on ivory trade

07 January 2019

MADAM – F Segolini makes some interesting and valid points about the failure of alcohol prohibition in the US (Letters, ATG No 2373).

Nurse Katharine Ross Cameron

Appeal to antiques trade to help find stolen medals awarded to nurse who served in Africa

05 January 2019

The owner of a group of medals stolen from a car in south London is calling on the trade to help her locate them.

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Legal landmarks: high-profile cases and incoming legislation to watch out for in 2019

21 December 2018

The arrival of the ivory ban in late 2019 is not the only piece of imminent legislation that the antiques trade should be aware of. The efforts of global art and antiques trade body CINOA are currently focused on two broad issues: anti-money-laundering legislation and laws surrounding the import of cultural goods.

ATG letter: Just like Prohibition, ivory ban will not work

21 December 2018

MADAM – Re: ivory ban. I would very much like to add my tuppence worth to this ongoing issue.

Parliament

Ivory bill receives Royal Assent from Queen to become the Ivory Act 2018

20 December 2018

The Queen has formally agreed to make the ivory bill, which proposes a near-total ban on the trade in ivory, into an Act of Parliament.

Rare whisky testing

Third of rare Scotch vintage whisky tested found to be fake

20 December 2018

A sample of vintage bottles of Scotch whisky tested in a Scottish laboratory has been found to be fake.

Pontormo

Government to gain more powers to keep art treasures in the UK

19 December 2018

The government is launching a consultation on the future of the export system for art, antiques and antiquities, with the aim of forcing owners to ‘honour their commitment’ to sell when a matching offer is made from a UK buyer.

Thérèse Coffey, minister at Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

UK government’s ivory bill passes final stages in Parliament on way to becoming law

12 December 2018

The ivory bill, which proposes a near-total ban on the trade in ivory, has passed its final stage in the House of Commons and is awaiting Royal Assent before it can become law next year.

Bronze

Rare Summer Palace bronze found in British seaside bungalow returns to China

11 December 2018

An exceptionally rare Western Zhou bronze, taken when the Summer Palace was sacked by British troops in 1860, has been returned to China.

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Dealers launch watchdog site to raise awareness of thefts

10 December 2018

Two south-west of England antiques dealers have launched an ‘Antiques Watchdog’ site designed to raise awareness of shoplifting in shops and centres around the country.

Franses

Tapestry gallery wins ‘David vs Goliath’ court battle against landlord to stay in St James’s home

05 December 2018

Tapestry and textiles specialist Franses won a landmark Supreme Court case against its landlord the Cavendish Hotel, allowing it to continue to operate from the London gallery that has been its home for more than 25 years.

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