Law, crime and regulation

In the wake of new sanctions on Russia, auction houses Sotheby’s, Christie’s and Bonhams have cancelled sales of Russian art in London scheduled for June.

The art market is being unfairly targeted with restrictions and regulations over stolen cultural property according to its most senior trade federation.

The ivory regulations of New York State will be reviewed by New York court judges following an appeal brought by two US antique dealer associations.

Max Rutherston is right to take exception (ATG No 2533) to the letter from Pete Matthews (ATG No 2532), who saucily tells the trade to stop moaning about the Ivory Act.

A number of UK auction houses have stopped taking bids from buyers in Russia in response to Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

The digital registration service for exempted items containing ivory is now live and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is urging those wishing to sell items that qualify for one of these narrow exemptions to familiarise themselves with the new system.

French auction reform took another step forward last month with the creation of a new regulatory body to oversee sales in France.

I must take exception to the letter from Pete Matthews (ATG No 2532) in which he tells the trade to stop moaning about the Ivory Act.

The latest Covid restrictions to be eased make a buying trip across the Channel more realistic

The Antiques Rescue Centre (ARC), an initiative started by Michael Baggott, has attracted support from a number of auction houses and members of the trade.

Regarding your article in ATG No 2531, ‘Four months’ before ivory ban becomes law’, I fail to see why the trade is ‘frustrated’ and describe the process as chaotic.