TEFAF to stage just one New York fair
The organiser of art and antiques fairs TEFAF Maastricht and TEFAF New York has changed the frequency and focus of the American event.
TEFAF will no longer hold a TEFAF New York Fall, which had concentrated on traditional art and antiques. Instead it will stage just one New York fair a year in the spring mainly for Modern and Contemporary art, “with a selection of classical dealers who traditionally have exhibited during this time,” says TEFAF.
Last year the organiser launched TEFAF Online, a digital marketplace and series of events. It will continue with these as well as TEFAF Maastricht which is planned as both a physical and online event on September 11-19, 2021, with a preview date of September 9-10.
‘Caravaggio’ work export block
An Old Master painting that was withdrawn from auction in Madrid after specialists suspected it could be a Caravaggio (1571-1610) has now been blocked from export by the Spanish government.
The 3ft 8in x 2ft 10in (1.11m x 86cm) oil on canvas showing Christ with the crown of thorns appeared on April 8 at Ansorena catalogued as ‘circle of’ José de Ribera (1591-1652) and estimated at €1500.
The New York Times reported that it was spotted online by dealers Marco Voena and Fabrizio Moretti, who flew to Madrid to inspect the work, before the Museo del Prado also became aware of the picture.
After the museum alerted Spain’s ministry of culture, it was withdrawn from the auction and an export block quickly followed.
According to reports, sources from the ministry have said that “suf f icient documentary and stylistic evidence” exists to consider that the painting may be an original work by Caravaggio.
So far neither the ministry or the auction house have revealed any details as to the painting’s provenance but it seems likely that the layers of dirt on the surface will be removed so it can be properly assessed.
ATG contacted Ansorena but the auction house said it could provide no further information or an image of the work for publication.
Trinder Czechs in at Lewes saleroom
Joe Trinder has joined Gorringe’s of Lewes.
Joseph Trinder is to return to the UK with a new role at Gorringe’s in East Sussex.
He will join as auctioneer and valuer next month, working with Philip Taylor, Clifford Lansberry and the team at Gorringe’s.
His most recent previous job in the UK was at Halls which he left in the late summer last year when he departed the UK for Moravia in Czech Republic.
Art UK boosted by Bloomberg
Public access to artworks in UK collections has been given a boost with a tie-up between Bloomberg Philanthropies and Art UK.
Art UK, formerly known as the Public Catalogue Foundation, is a website that has catalogued the many thousands of artworks owned by public institutions such as museums, universities and councils, many of which are not on public display.
The collaboration is planned to “strengthen and improve” digital access to the UK’s national collection of art while encouraging engagement with local museums, art galleries and schools.
Bloomberg Philanthropies, the foundation set up by US businessman Michael Bloomberg, will become a major supporter of the charity alongside existing supporters Arts Council England and other donors and trusts.
Kinghams moves to the Cotswolds
Kinghams, the auction house previously known as Kingham & Orme, has moved to a new premises in Gloucestershire.
The firm is now based at the Cotswolds Business Village in Morton-in-Marsh, in a 9000 sq ft warehouse about three times the size of its previous saleroom in Evesham.
The first auction at the venue was a Richard Dennis anniversary sale on April 17 followed by jewellery and silver on April 23.
Founded by Arts & Crafts specialist George Kingham and Moorcroft and Royal Doulton dealer Gary Orme in 2017, the name above the door is now Kinghams after a recent change in ownership.
Among the 10 staff based at the auction centre will be new associate director Adrian Rathbone, who worked for many years at Staffordshire firm Richard Winterton and most recently at Hansons in Bishton Hall.
New Kinghams recruit Adrian Rathbone.
Reiss catalogue marks 50 years
Reiss & Sohn in Germany is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a special catalogue published with 80 rare and important books and manuscripts from the 15th to the 19th century. The specially produced catalogue is alongside the two regular catalogues for its upcoming four-day spring auctions of around 3100 lots on April 27-30.
Most read
The most viewed stories for week April 8-14 on antiquestradegazette.com
1 Armorial head with link to Anne Boleyn stars in our pick of five auction highlights
2 Ritual bronzes unearthed in Yorkshire come to auction at Hansons
3 Californian museum acquires Artemisia Gentileschi’s ‘record’ Lucretia picture
4 View of the Thames by Victorian artist stuns market with six-figure sum at Bonhams
5 An Omar Ramsden silver spoon and a Polar medal are among six lots to watch at auction
In Numbers
$3.25m
The price (£2.8m) of a rare edition of Action Comics #1 in which Superman made his first appearance, which has set a record. Released in 1938, it is now the world’s most valuable comic book.
Found “buried in a stack of old 1930s movie magazines”, the sale was brokered by Vincent Zurzolo of US online auction house ComicConnect.com. It is believed only about 100 copies of the comic still exist.
The seller is said to have made a $1m profit after owning it for just three years.
