Features

Brexit uncertainty. Tick. A weak pound. Tick. The ivory ban. Tick. Some of the themes that will permeate 2019 are already clear. But what else might the next 12 months bring for the art and antiques trade and its buying audience? ATG does a little crystal-ball gazing...

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.

"In 2018 we have not seen a great deal of movement in the price of gold and silver, but things could change considerably as we move into 2019," says precious metals dealer Michael Bloomstein of Brighton.

ATG's Review of the Year – the top stories and key sales in April 2018.

ATG's Review of the Year – the top stories and key sales in July 2018.

ATG's Review of the Year – the top stories and key sales in September 2018.

ATG's Review of the Year – the top stories and key sales in March 2018.

ATG's Review of the Year – the top stories and key sales in October 2018.

ATG's Review of the Year – the top stories and key sales in February 2018.

ATG's Review of the Year – the top stories and key sales in June 2018.

ATG's Review of the Year – the top stories and key sales in December 2018.

ATG's Review of the Year – the top stories and key sales in May 2018.

ATG's Review of the Year – the top stories and key sales in January 2018.

ATG's Review of the Year – the top stories and key sales in August 2018.

ATG's Review of the Year – the top stories and key sales in November 2018.

An unusual dish from the workshop of Namikawa Yasuyuki (1845-1927) sold for £18,000 at Woolley & Wallis on November 14. But this was not the only example of top-tier Meiji cloisonné for sale last month.

December is one of two key periods in the French calendar when the auction houses concentrate their sales of Asian art. Pictured here is a selection of highlights and unusual pieces coming up for sale this month in the Paris rooms.

A welcome addition to the November 21 Asian Works of Art sale at Matthew Barton (24% buyer’s premium) of 25 Blythe Road in west London were 79 netsuke from the collection belonging to Edmund de Waal, author of the bestselling memoir 'The Hare with Amber Eyes'. London Japanese art dealer Max Rutherston helped organise the sale and took this section of the auction.

The influx of Asian art buyers that accompanies the Asian Art in London initiative also encourages activity across the Irish Sea. Both Adam’s (20% buyer’s premium) in Dublin, for the first time, and Sheppards (20% buyer’s premium) in Durrow held designated sales on November 3 and November 11 respectively.

For the first time in a decade, Sotheby’s Asian Art in London offering included a designated sale of Japanese art on November 6.