Sherrards hosts Art and Heritage event at Rolleston Gallery

15th July 2026 | Alicia Pettitt | Art & Heritage, Art ownership, Cultural Law

Experts discuss art law, provenance, cultural heritage and the recovery of looted artworks

The Rolleston Gallery in Notting Hill provided a spectacular venue for a recent evening event hosted by Sherrards. The long-established family-owned gallery has an enviable reputation for its exhibitions of English and Asian works. Our head of Art and Heritage Law Arthur Byng Nelson, together with Nelli Shevchenko and Jan Kunstyr, were delighted to welcome clients and professional contacts to gather at Rolleston Gallery.

Arthur, together with James Rolleston and Till Vere-Hodge, Commission for Looted Art in Europe, formed a panel to discuss and explore a range of fascinating topics which have a significant impact when they converge on issues affecting art, law and heritage.

Standout moments from the Panel

James displayed an extraordinary miniature ormolu and enamel musical table clock which was made in England for the Chinese market in the late 18^th century. He explained its provenance and how it served as a vehicle for transculturation by introducing English melodies into Chinese culture through artistic work, separate from any political influence at the time.

Arthur used this particular clock to illustrate the legal concept of a ‘wasting asset’. Under UK law, if an item has a “predictable life, not exceeding 50 years”, it will be entirely exempt from Capital Gains Tax. Antique clocks fall into this category because they have mechanical components which deteriorate over time. In contrast, items of art such as paintings, sculpture and furniture have a much longer lifespan and are therefore subject to the standard rate of Capital Gains Tax.

Till discussed the work he undertakes for the Commission for Looted Art in Europe. This organisation focuses on trying to recover art such as paintings, antiques and books looted by the Nazis between 1933-1945. Till explained that during World War Two, a significant amount of art was transferred from public ownership to private ownership by the Nazis. Jewish collectors and dealers were targeted and forced to surrender their assets to the Nazis, who used this artwork as an alternative stable currency to help fund their war activities.

Overall, the night was an incredible success, and we encourage anyone interested in art to visit Rolleston Gallery – their pieces on display are truly remarkable.

Should you have any art and heritage enquiries, please contact Arthur Byng Nelson.