Art Market Monitor

Global Coverage ~ Unique Analysis

  • AMMpro
  • AMM Fantasy Collecting Game
  • Podcast
  • Contact Us

In the UK, The Path to Growth for a Regional Auction House Runs Through India

March 22, 2016 by Marion Maneker

Colin Gleadell focuses on the growing clout of the UK’s regional auction houses which seem to be improving the quality of their wares:

during the past five years there has been a noticeable increase in the number of specialised sales as the most nimble salerooms adapt to changes in the market place, upping their games. This was led by the boom in Asian art, now on the wane, and by the replacement of out-of-fashion, low-value antique furniture with modern design where supply is plentiful and demand on the increase. Then it expanded to include modern, primarily British art. First out of the blocks were Mallams in Oxford and Woolley & Wallis in Salisbury, since when, the battle for lower-value modern art in the regions has intensified.

British art may be one of the avenues to growth but Gleadell points to another path as well. Indian art hasn’t fully recovered from the financial crisis nearly a decade ago. But it seems to be gaining momentum at the bottom of the price ladder:

Roseberys auctioneers in Crystal Palace, south London, is to launch specialised sales for modern and contemporary Indian art next month – and for modern sculpture in June – as it seeks to break into the highly competitive market for lower-priced modern art. In October 2014, it launched its first sale for modern and contemporary prints, and last year introduced modern and contemporary art from India and Pakistan into its Islamic sales. They now plan to hold two specialised sales a year. “It’s a growth area,” says Vicky Wonfor,” who heads Roseberys modern and contemporary art department. “It’s also very competitive, especially where Modern British art is concerned, so we are looking at underdeveloped areas to explore.” As Sotheby’s, Christie’s and Bonhams raise their thresholds for accepting goods for sale, Roseberys has become a referral point for goods value at under £1,000. “We have a good relationship with them all, especially Sotheby’s,” says Wonfor.

Market News: Indian flavour and art deco flair  (Telegraph)

Art Sales: regional salerooms up their game  (Telegraph)

More from Art Market Monitor

  • The Woman Who Photographs Art FairsThe Woman Who Photographs Art Fairs
  • Ai Weiwei's Sunflower Seeds Without the DustAi Weiwei's Sunflower Seeds Without the Dust
  • Lucian Freud: Creator & DestroyerLucian Freud: Creator & Destroyer
  • Are Egyptians Rediscovering Egyptian Modern Artists?Are Egyptians Rediscovering Egyptian Modern Artists?
  • Polaroid PreviewPolaroid Preview
  • Almine Rech Opens Show of Massive Wesselmann Late WorksAlmine Rech Opens Show of Massive Wesselmann Late Works

Filed Under: General

About Marion Maneker

Want to get Art Market Monitor‘s posts sent to you in our email? Sign up below by clicking on the Subscribe button.

Top Posts

  • Keith Haring’s 1989 Retrospect Comes to Sotheby’s London Prints Sale
  • David Hockney's $20m Pacific Coast Highway & Santa Monica
  • Tony Podesta's Secret Art Buying
  • Four of Picasso's Women Valued at $28m Come to Christie's from Rose-Walters Collection
  • How to Chant Like an Auctioneer
  • Norman Rockwell's Not Gay. But Is He a Great Artist?
  • Rare Photo Album by Dutch Street Photographer Bought at Auction by Rijksmuseum
  • Christie's Announces $70m Picasso Self Portrait
  • Basquiat's Last Girlfriend
  • Roy Lichtenstein’s Top Ten Auction Prices
  • About Us/ Contact
  • Podcast
  • AMMpro
  • Newsletter
  • FAQ

twitterfacebooksoundcloud
Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
California Privacy Rights
Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Advertise on Art Market Monitor