Gentileschi work on offer in Vienna
A painting reflecting the life of Italian baroque artist Artemisia Gentileschi (1593-1653) is to be auctioned for the first time.
The 4ft 4in x 3ft 6in (1.33 x 1.06m) oil on canvas Lucretia is estimated at €500,000- 700,000 during Vienna auction house Dorotheum’s sale week on October 23-25.
It is consigned from an aristocratic collection where it has been since the mid-19th century. Gentileschi’s work is now being fully appreciated by the art world.
Of the 60 or so paintings attributed to her, the majority feature a strong female heroine, and many of her works are considered to have an autobiographical edge.
Gentileschi is renowned for her biblical and mythological scenes but her legacy is dominated by her personal story – she was raped by fellow artist Agostino Tassi and took part in his prosecution.
The artist’s self-portrait as St Catherine of Alexandria (c.1615-17) was bought by the National Gallery in London for £3.6m earlier this summer.
Bonhams displays golden age clocks
Two private collectors have teamed up for an exhibition at auction house Bonhams to celebrate the golden age of English clocks.
The show from September 3-14 at Bonhams Bond Street in London, first reported in ATG’s clockmaking feature in June (No 2346), is curated by historian and clock expert Richard Garnier. Innovation and Collaboration focuses on the period c.1600-1726.
This Selby Lowndes grande sonnerie table clock by Thomas Tompion c.1692 is one of the highlights in Bonhams’ 'Innovation and Collaboration' show.
Many of the items on display are from two collectors: an anonymous lender and the Isle of Man entrepreneur and horologist Dr John C Taylor (b.1936).
But the event also features loans from the Science Museum, The Clockmakers’ Company and the Collection of the 5th Lord Harris from Belmont House in Faversham.
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The most clicked-on stories for week August 23-29 on antiquestradegazette.com
1 Ivory removed from Chippendale commode before sale
2 Rare Beano annual – without Dennis the Menace – offered at auction in Norfolk
3 Rare example of the ‘first dollar of the New World’ sells at Heritage’s auction
4 UK government to hire more than a thousand Border Force workers in case of ‘no deal’ Brexit
5 Christie’s to test market for portrait created solely by Artificial Intelligence
Coin collector buys numismatic firm
Coin collector Mike Gasvoda has bought the assets of Classical Numismatic Group from the current partnership of Victor England and Eric McFadden.
Classical Numismatic Group, which has operations in the US (Lancaster, Pennsylvania) and London, is a dealership and auction business.
It was founded in 1975 and specialises in ancient, medieval and British numismatics. The business opened in London in 1991 when it took over venerable firm BA Seaby. It traded under the name Seaby Coins.
England, who manages the Lancaster office, and McFadden, who manages the London office, will continue as senior directors and the changes will take place from November.
Fine Art Society leaves Mayfair base
The Fine Art Society has left its home of the past 142 years in Mayfair’s Bond Street and is temporarily relocating to Chelsea until it secures a permanent address.
The Fine Art Society has left its premises in New Bond Street after 142 years.
Its new premises at Michelin House on Fulham Road are open Monday to Friday by appointment only.
As revealed in ATG (No 2345), contemporary art specialist Halcyon Gallery is moving into The Fine Art Society’s five-storey townhouse at 148 New Bond Street.
Halcyon, founded in 1982, will keep its existing premises at 144-146 New Bond Street and 29 New Bond Street.
The Fine Art Society also operates a gallery in Dundas Street in Edinburgh’s New Town.
Chippendale ivory debate on radio
Presenter Jeremy Vine’s BBC Radio 2 show discussed the Chippendale commode that had ivory elements removed before a Christie’s auction, as revealed by ATG’s article last week (No 2356).
Among the guests invited to comment on the August 30 programme were netsuke dealer Max Rutherston, Jonathan Dubiner at Paul Bennett Antiques and James Lewis, auctioneer at Bamfords.
See Letters for more on the topic.
In Numbers
2290
The number of signatures (as ATG went to press on Friday, August 31) to the online petition mounted by dealers and BADA council members Alastair Gibson and Laura Bordignon. The petition is aimed at encouraging the government to raise the ivory bill’s de minimis exemption from 10% to 50%. Ten thousand signatures are needed by January 5, 2019, for the government to respond.
