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.


Cabinet

Police appeal for witnesses following theft at Congleton antiques centre

02 April 2024

Valuable silver and jewellery lost after smash-and-grab in Cheshire

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Art and antiques given as corporate gifts: not just producing a feel-good factor but tax benefits too

01 April 2024

A new consultancy firm has been launched by two former Arts Council advisers, specialising in the UK’s policy and laws governing the movement of cultural property.

Eucharist

Poussin’s Last Supper painting purchased by The National Gallery via Acceptance in Lieu deal

26 March 2024

The National Gallery has acquired 'Eucharist' (c.1637-40), a depiction of the Last Supper, by Nicolas Poussin (1594–1664).

European Commission

Art and antiques trade unites against EU import rules

25 March 2024

Art and antiques trade associations have stepped up their campaign to “dilute the worst effects” of the incoming EU import licensing regulation which comes into force next summer.

ATG Lawyer Writes V3 JPG

A lawyer writes: Whether it’s art trade or football, principles relating to the role of agents are just the same

25 March 2024

Heavyweight court case of buyer and adviser underlines the possible disputes

Stolen silver

Burglar who cut a hole in the floor to steal antique silver from an army museum is jailed

20 March 2024

A man who broke into the Royal Lancers & Nottinghamshire Yeomanry Museum in Nottinghamshire has been jailed.

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Seminar returns after ‘surge in de Lamerie fakes’

11 March 2024

A fakes and forgeries seminar at Goldsmiths’ Hall is returning after a five-year hiatus as concerns emerge of a rise in Paul de Lamerie forgeries.

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Call for new rules on ‘cold cast bronzes’

11 March 2024

A surge in websites selling ‘cold-cast bronzes’ – sometimes passing them off as original metal alloy sculptures – has led to calls for tighter rules to distinguish them from genuine works.

Laptop

Cyber criminals target art and antiques dealers

04 March 2024

Dealers have been targeted by cyber criminals setting up copycat scam sites and tampering with existing websites.

Ethiopian shield

Ethiopian shield taken from battle of Maqdala withdrawn from auction

01 March 2024

The owner of an 19th century Ethiopian shield has decided to withdraw it from auction at Anderson & Garland.

Bacchus intaglio

British Museum unveils classical gems exhibition following return of stolen items

20 February 2024

The British Museum is showcasing classical gems that were recovered after a long-running theft was exposed.

ATG issues

New online group aims to support dealers being targeted by thieves

19 February 2024

Market traders and dealers at fairs are being urged to join a Facebook group to share information to protect themselves from gangs of thieves.

Downing Street visitor book

Owner of 10 Downing Street visitor book plans sale after dismissing Treasury claim

14 February 2024

The owner of a visitor book from 10 Downing Street, during the Margaret Thatcher and John Major era, plans to sell it despite the government saying it is official property.

Tribal art

Plea to recover huge collection of stolen tribal art

14 February 2024

Around 50 works of tribal art have been stolen in Belgium.

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Shackleton’s Polar Medal blocked from export

12 February 2024

A temporary export block has been placed on Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Polar Medal in the hope a buyer in the UK can pay £1.7m.

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News in brief including a stolen Chinese bronze vessel recovered and returned

12 February 2024

A round-up of art and antiques news from the previous seven days, including an ancient Chinese bronze vessel stolen 40 years ago being recovered after emerging at Sotheby’s.

Chinese bronze vessel

Stolen ancient bronze recovered 40 years later and returned to China

07 February 2024

A 2900-year-old Chinese bronze vessel that was stolen 40 years ago has been returned to China following a repatriation ceremony.

Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Polar medal.

UK buyer sought for Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Polar medal

02 February 2024

A temporary export block has been placed on Sir Ernest Shackleton’s polar medal in the hope a buyer in the UK can pay £1.7m.

Jessus on crucifix

Appeal for statues stolen from Salford church

31 January 2024

A group of statues from a church in Salford have been stolen.

ATG Letter

ATG letter: Thieves are still out there stealing stock

29 January 2024

Following on from my letters last year and articles in Antiques Trade Gazette about the issue of robberies from dealers at markets, I feel compelled to write again.

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