Dealers' Diary

Normally a quiet month, this August dealerships across the UK are reacting to a world changed by coronavirus.

This Nast two-handled cup and stand with classical decoration, c.1800, is among the objects set to be featured at the Cecil Court Summer Showcase.

As well as dealers’ websites and multi-dealer portals, a number of online events are taking place this summer that feature a range of traders. Here is a selection of some of the places to find art and antiques online in the coming months.

Last year Messums rescued the Wolland studio of artist Elisabeth Frink (1930-93) from collapse and has now reconstructed it in its Wiltshire premises.

This primitive English sailor-work ship picture, c.1870, depicting a cutter in full sail on a calm sea was made with coloured wools embroidered on canvas.

This portolan atlas known as the Harisse Codex is attributed to cartographer Battista Agnese, who worked in Venice.

With the lockdown easing significantly and an uncertain calendar of autumn events ahead, the London trade will be far busier than usual this August.

Dealers including Philip Mould, Peter Harrington and Kevin Page Oriental Art have seen works snapped up online.

This picture by Ramon Casas (1866- 1932), sold from Colnaghi during London Art Week.

Abbott & Holder recently sold a bronze head of Duncan Grant (1885-1975) by Stephen Tomlin (1901-37) to the Charleston Trust, owners of the East Sussex home where Grant once lived and worked with other members of the Bloomsbury Group.

The first version of this map of London was issued by the Southern Railway in 1938. It was designed by Kerry Lee (1902-88) who brought it up to date for British Railways in the 1950s.

'Cliffs Edge, Porth Dafarch' by Martin Llewellyn is featured in an upcoming online exhibition on the artist at Panter & Hall.

'Roseveor' (1985) was carved by British artist Denis Mitchell (1912- 93) out of yew, an unusual material for him used in just one other sculpture.

'Frieze' and 'Frieze Masters' have joined the steadily lengthening list of fairs to be cancelled or rescheduled as a result of coronavirus.

When once asked how long he had spent painting a certain picture, Scottish artist William Johnstone (1897-1981) is said to have replied: “Only 10 minutes, I suppose, but it’s taken 70 years of looking.”

'Concetto spaziale' (1960) by Lucio Fontana is one of the works on offer at The Arts Club exhibition Block Party.

Daniel Hadden trades in art and antiques online and recently featured in ATG as one of the founders of the social media effort #alcoholandframes (see ATG Nos 2447 & 2449).

Thousands of items are available to buy from dealers online. Here we pick out one that caught our eye this week.

A George IV rosewood table with an Italian specimen marble top, c.1820, was among the highlight sales at Masterpiece’s recent virtual edition, selling with an asking price of £75,000 to a private collector.

Triannual 'Art & Antiques for Everyone' fair follows the online model for now ahead of scheduled November live event