Art and antiques news from 2007

THE National Association of Valuers and Auctioneers (NAVA) has voted to merge with the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA).

Despite riding the crest of a wave of popularity, Theodore Roosevelt declined to run again for the presidency in 1908. Instead he anointed William Howard Taft as his successor and famously embarked upon a year of big game hunting in Africa.

BLOOMSBURY Auctions are launching a new saleroom in New York.

FOLLOWING rumours in the trade, London-based fair organisers Brian and Anna Haughton have confirmed exclusively to ATG that they will launch a high-end international fair in Dubai next February.

Munich auctioneers Hermann Historica are known internationally as experts for arms and armour, medals and historical collectibles rather than tribal art, so they were on unfamiliar territory with lot 3324 in their latest blockbuster sale held from May 2 to 11.

A futuristic helicopter, an armchair you can’t get out of, vibrating disco shoes, a collapsible bicycle wheel and a jacket that reduces jet lag.

Sotheby’s have opened an office in Moscow and appointed Mikhail Kamensky, a former director and presidential advisor to the Bank of Moscow, as managing director.

EBay’s global network is encouraging the illegal trade in elephant ivory says an investigative report from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).

Adrian and Irena, Count and Countess Csàky, have been collectors and dealers of early furniture and works of art for 40 years, trading for three decades from their shop Csàky Antiques on Pimlico Road.

The Art Fund have thrown their weight behind the campaign to save Dumfries House for the nation with a £2m pledge towards acquiring the house and its contents. Christie’s, who are due to sell the contents at a showpiece sale next month, say such good intentions have arrived too late.

CHICAGO-based art event promoter Mark Lyman has been appointed vice president of International Fine Arts Expositions (IFAE) by owner dmg world media. IFAE’s American flagship event is The Palm Beach Fair and Palmbeach Contemporary Art Fair.

It was a more traditional 20th century picture that established a new house record for Chichester auctioneers Stride & Son on April 27.

More records fall in record NY art sales

Art Deco bronze and ivory dancers inspired by Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes and other exotic themes have been racing up the price scale in recent months. The reason is rouble power.

Imperial Chinese ceramics and works of art are at the centre of a raging bull market. Auction prices have skyrocketed thanks to fierce competition between Western dealers, collectors and a large body of Asian buyers, many Chinese mainlanders amongst them. With the major Spring sales in China staged during a six-week period from mid-May to early July, ATG brings you a timely lowdown on the auction scenes in Beijing and Shanghai.

An improvement in the trading climate but a negative response to the artists’ resale right were among the findings of the latest British Antique Dealers’ Association members poll.

The increasingly prosperous North East of England will receive its first high-end antiques fair next February when 27 LAPADA or BADA dealers descend upon Linden Hall, near Morpeth in Northumberland.

ARTHUR Swallow Fairs are having free entry on Wednesdays at their two-day Tuesday/Wednesday events at RAF Swinderby.

A UNITED States university professor has developed a computer program that he believes can identify fake paintings.

Change in the collecting geography at New York’s Imp & Mod spring sales