Latest News Articles by Laura Chesters
Collector interview: I’m all wrapped up in my passion
19 February 2024Robert Opie, consumer historian and collector, has been saving “evidence of the branded world” since he was 16.
Antiques dealers victorious in first step of saving London’s historic gas lamps
16 February 2024Two dealers have declared a victory in their quest to save historic gas lamps in Westminster.
Anglo-Saxon coin hoard discovered in Braintree by metal detectorists comes to auction
15 February 2024An impressive group of Anglo-Saxon pennies, found by metal detectorists near Braintree in Essex, will be offered in separate lots at Noonans.
Owner of 10 Downing Street visitor book plans sale after dismissing Treasury claim
14 February 2024The owner of a visitor book from 10 Downing Street, during the Margaret Thatcher and John Major era, plans to sell it despite the government saying it is official property.
Plea to recover huge collection of stolen tribal art
14 February 2024Around 50 works of tribal art have been stolen in Belgium.
Dealers and auctioneers react after Sotheby’s shock changes to both buyer’s and vendor’s fees
12 February 2024The surprise decision by Sotheby’s to cut its buyer’s premium and standardise its vendor fees sparked a wave of comments across the art and antiques trade.
Pick of the week: Coachbuilders archive rolls up to £25,000
12 February 2024With clients including the Maharajah of Kutch, Queen Victoria and multiple princes and dukes, Holmes & Co was one of the top coachbuilders of the 19th century.
Shackleton’s Polar Medal blocked from export
12 February 2024A temporary export block has been placed on Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Polar Medal in the hope a buyer in the UK can pay £1.7m.
Classic fairs expands after a debut success
12 February 2024A successful run at NEC Birmingham last year for Classic Antique Fairs has encouraged it to expand this year.
LARTA exhibitors report strong sales and new buyers
12 February 2024Nestled above The Decorative Fair, the London Antique Rug & Textile Art Fair (LARTA) had a successful run with new and returning exhibitors reporting strong sales to trade and private buyers.
God bless American buyers: Battersea decorative fair benefits from Stateside decorators visiting
12 February 2024A fortuitously timed trip from a large group of top US interior decorators boosted sales at Battersea’s winter Decorative Fair.
Love is in the air: St Valentine’s Day related items with dealers and at auction
12 February 2024With catalogues titled Love Lust & Lechery and a tour called Love Motifs & Symbols, there is something for everyone among this selection of items for sale ahead of St Valentine’s Day this week.
A Jaguar car and life-size Coronation carriage replica lead auction of Netflix’s The Crown props
08 February 2024Bonhams' sale of 473 props from Netflix’s The Crown raises a hammer total of more than £1m in a white glove sale.
Stolen ancient bronze recovered 40 years later and returned to China
07 February 2024A 2900-year-old Chinese bronze vessel that was stolen 40 years ago has been returned to China following a repatriation ceremony.
New hires, promotions and expansions across antiques dealers and auction houses
07 February 2024Movers and Shakers across the world of art and antiques.
Piano Auctions to sell in Holland after Brexit
05 February 2024The impact of Brexit on UK overseas trade has led one auction house to open a saleroom in the Netherlands.
Props from Netflix’s The Crown are among five lots to watch
05 February 2024With estimates from £3000, here are five previews of upcoming items.
UK buyer sought for Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Polar medal
02 February 2024A temporary export block has been placed on Sir Ernest Shackleton’s polar medal in the hope a buyer in the UK can pay £1.7m.
Bag of coins donated to charity shop contained rare 19th century Australian specimen
02 February 2024A bag of coins donated to Oxfam in Orpington, Kent, contained an Australian New South Wales coin dating to 1813 which is valued at up to £7000.
Mark Knopfler guitar auction makes more than £7m at Christie’s
01 February 2024A six-hour sale of 122 lots from the collection of singer-songwriter and Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler took £7.01m (or £8.84m including buyer’s premium).