Moretti Fine Art’s new Paris gallery. Image: © Artcento/Simoneperolari/2023.
Moretti launches a Paris gallery
Old Master paintings and sculpture dealership Moretti Fine Art will open a new gallery in Paris this autumn. It will be the third location alongside London and Monaco.
The new gallery, on the ground floor of 1 Place du Louvre, will launch on September 14 with an exhibition of an Italian Baroque masterpiece to reflect the specialism of Moretti in Italian Old Master paintings.
Giulia Giustiniani, an Italian art historian and Old Master specialist, joins the firm as director of the new Paris gallery from Eric Turquin.
Fabrizio Moretti, founder of Moretti Fine Art, said: “There is a strong collector base in the city as well as world-class cultural institutions with whom we have regular dealings. We wanted to find a space that was intimate enough to allow us to stay close to the galleries and auction houses and Place du Louvre seemed the perfect spot.”
Fake or Fortune? returns in autumn
Art dealer Philip Mould and presenter Fiona Bruce are the stars of the BBC’s Fake or Fortune? Image: BBC/Emilie Sandy.
The BBC’s Fake or Fortune? TV show will return to screens for its 11th series this autumn.
Art dealer Philip Mould and broadcaster Fiona Bruce investigate whether artworks submitted by members of the public are actually genuine.
It is thought that the new series will include a possible Elisabeth Frink sculpture that had been found by its current owner at a car boot sale.
The investigation into the sculpture will take the team into areas of metallurgy alongside the pursuit of artistic authenticity.
Bonhams supports Wallace Collection
Bonhams has signed a three-year partnership with the Wallace Collection in London.
Among the initiatives that the two will work on together are joint events to coincide with the auction house’s biannual series of Classics sales. Bonhams will also sponsor the Wallace Collection’s Seminars in the History of Collecting series, under the heading History of Collecting: Supported by Bonhams.
Sarah Harmer, director of development at the Wallace Collection, said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Bonhams, which has shown its commitment to this key area of research at the Collection by sponsoring our seminar series.
“The History of Collecting series takes place once a month and offers a completely free resource for anyone interested in learning more about this fascinating and diverse field. We know the seminars will continue to thrive and reach new audiences with the support of Bonhams.”
Asian art expert joins Olympia team
Stephen Loakes has joined Olympia Auctions.
Olympia Auctions has appointed Stephen Loakes to head its Asian Works of Art department.
He has more than 25 years’ experience in the field of Chinese art, having started his career with Phillips, then Bonhams, and for the past 17 years in the Chinese department at Sotheby’s Bond Street, latterly as a director.
Olympia’s Asian Works of Art department will be strengthening its sales in both Chinese and Japanese paintings and objects. Olympia’s next Asian Works of Art auction is on November 8.
Massey heads the NAJ trade body
Ben Massey is now CEO of the National Association of Jewellers.
The National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) has appointed Ben Massey as chief executive officer. He was previously principal officer.
The NAJ represents the UK jewellery industry and has 2000 member companies. The Institute of Registered Valuers is also part of the NAJ, comprised of around 100 professional valuers.
Phillips launches Hockney auctions
Auction house Phillips’ London Editions department has added a dedicated David Hockney sale to its annual schedule.
The next dedicated auction will be held on September 20 with a public exhibition held from September 14-20.
In Numbers
$16,000
Hammer price (£12,950) of a Fabergé egg sold via thesaleroom.com at auction in California on June 28… but a replica one used in the 1983 James Bond film Octopussy. MI6 sent 007 (Roger Moore) to a London auction to ascertain the seller of the genuine Fabergé egg after a counterfeit egg was discovered in East Berlin. The estimate at this sale 40 years later, held by Propstore, was $4000-8000.
