Well known in the antiques trade and art world, Philip Astley- Jones died after a short illness in mid-August. He started his life in the trade with Roger Warner in Burford in the 1960s and was then was hired by Peter Wilson to go to help set up Sotheby’s in Los Angeles in 1970. After a number of years with Sotheby’s, he worked as managing director at Hatfields, the furniture and works of art restorers in London. Latterly he had helped on various vetting committees at the Masterpiece fairs in London.
An avid collector of the quirky as well as the serious, his advice and his taste were constantly asked for. He was a dealer to his fingertips.