Impressionist & Modern Day Sale – Sotheby’s NY
There does not seem to be an end to the number of works auction rooms are throwing into the market. With all the sales that took place last month, one would assume that there would be a bit of a … More…
The Orientalists Take A Hit – Christie’s London
On the 18th of November, Christie’s presented a mixed bag of Orientalist works, and the results will have hopefully taught them a lesson. The lesson – slow down on the number of works you are throwing into the market! (w/p … More…
Frans Hals Case Might Be Over
This morning, The Art Newspaper reported that the London Court of Appeals upheld an earlier decision that Fairlight Art Ventures has to pay Sotheby’s $5.37M, plus interest and legal fees, for the allegedly fake Hals painting. Hopefully, this will put … More…
Frans Hals Matter Back In Court
The saga of a fake Frans Hals painting, which Sotheby’s sold privately for $10.8M, was thought the be over last year; however, one of the “consignors” has decided to challenge a London High Court’s ruling. Last December, the court ruled … More…
Restitution Of €20M Painting – Will It Happen?
Over the years, we have seen more and more of these stories … works stolen by the Nazis were sold at bargain prices, and now the heirs want them back. Many end in favor of the heirs, but sometimes it … More…
The ‘Potato Head’ Of Palencia
Usually, when you hire someone to do a job, the first thing you should consider is how well they can do said job… I say “usually” because that was clearly not the case in this instance. A statue, which sits … More…
Talkin’ ‘Bout My Generation
My Generation, the album by The Who, had an impressive performance when it sold at a recent auction. The Who formed in London in 1964… since then, there have been name changes and band member changes, but over the decades, … More…
More Hot Water For Sotheby’s
Last week, the New York Attorney General filed a lawsuit against Sotheby’s alleging that the auction room violated the New York False Claims Act by helping a major client (Porsal Equities, Ltd.) create, and then use, false resale certificates to … More…
Worth More Than Its Weight In Gold
A really rare ancient gold coin just made history when it sold for far more than its ”weight in gold” (it was only about the size of a United States nickel). The coin commemorates the assassination of Julius Caesar as … More…