Three Akan chief’s stools, Ashanti, Ghana, 19th century, 16-19½in (41-50cm) long, offered at Oliver Forge and Brendan Lynch.
A single-owner collection of African and Oceanic art sold out within days of going on offer at Oliver Forge and Brendan Lynch last month. The collection was assembled by the late K John Hewett (1919-94), a dealer, consultant to Sotheby’s and adviser to collectors such as Robert and Lisa Sainsbury.
Forge and Lynch staged a winter show (which included the Hewett collection) at its Pall Mall premises from December 5-9. They noted that the reception of the collection proved that Hewett’s taste lives on nearly 30 years after his death.
Prices at the show ranged from £450-80,000.
'I have never stopped learning'
Richard Hoppé, a specialist in Continental glass, ceramic tiles and perfume bottles, is retiring after 22 years in the trade.
He says: “I have really enjoyed my time as a dealer, have never stopped learning, have made good friends with lots of nice, like-minded and dedicated colleagues, have travelled thousands of miles on Continental buying trips, and endured or enjoyed going to the casinos that are otherwise known as antiques fairs.”
Works of art specialist Richard Hoppé.
While many would contend that dealers never really give up dealing, he intends to make a clean break, however, selling all his remaining stock at auction and returning to his previous career of more than 30 years: TV production.
Hoppé plans to take on smaller projects such as Instagram spots and local documentaries. He also plans to explore animation.
He adds: “I don’t aim to sit in an armchair collecting dust.”
New curator of Frieze Sculpture
Frieze has announced Fatos Üstek as the new curator of Frieze Sculpture. An independent curator and writer, she replaces Clare Lilley, director of Yorkshire Sculpture Park, who held the position for 10 years. Frieze Sculpture, which places monumental works around Regent’s Park in London, runs from September 20 to October 29.
New York dealer's gift shop
Rehs Gallery, specialist in art from the 19th century to the present, has opened a gift shop. The offerings include mouse pads, wireless chargers, mugs, jigsaw puzzles, ceramic Christmas ornaments and tote bags with images from the gallery’s artists.
Most feature Contemporary works, but there is also a selection of items displaying landscape, cityscapes and domestic scenes by historic artists. Offerings are added regularly.
Pictures used include Maria Among the Poppies by Daniel Ridgway Knight (1839- 1924) and Petite fille et chat by Emile Munier (1840-95). Both artists are of special interest to the gallery which has published catalogue raisonnés on each.
Book of discoveries
Anthony Speelman, an Old Master dealer and former chairman of both TEFAF Maastricht and Masterpiece London, has published a book on his experiences in the art market.
Anthony Speelman’s new book.
A Tale of Two Monkeys: Adventure in the Art World narrates some of Speelman’s discoveries, such as one of the two monkey pictures by George Stubbs mentioned in the title. It also covers sales to clients such as Paul Mellon and Baron Thyssen as well as The Getty and the Louvre.
Published by Paul Holberton Publishing, it is available in hardback for £30.
Mod Brit market report
Portland Gallery of St James’s, London, has published a report on the Modern British art market. It notes a continuing appetite for works by leading names and high-quality works by lesser-known figures.
It was compiled by Esme Dollow who joined the gallery in September as a specialist in Mod Brit art.
The gallery has put out a call for works by leading figures of 20th century Britain as well as those by “a more diverse range of artists”. It kicks off its programming in this field with a solo show on John Piper (February 22-March 10).
Website relaunch
Nicholas Wells, a London specialist in antique furniture and Oceanic and Islamic art and arms and armour, has launched a new website after the dealership “reinterpreted our collection, delved deep into the data, and presented it with a renewed passion for the rare and beautiful”.
