Antiques: When the going got tough, the tough got going

Art and antiques market rose to the unforeseen challenges of 2020, writes Irish Examiner antiques columnist Des O'Sullivan

This small self-portrait by Rembrandt sold for a record £14.5 million.

The year just drawing to a close might be one many would wish to forget but for the art and antiques market it was by no means all bad.

As an entirely unforeseen set of challenging circumstances arose the auction market rose to the new challenges of no bidders in the room, heavily curtailed viewings or none at all, and the need to provide high quality images and expert condition reports for buyers who could not view for themselves.