The Society of London Art Dealers Ltd

Founded in 1932, The Society of London Dealers Ltd is a not-for-profit organisation for enhancing public confidence in responsible fine art dealing. Today it has 185 members throughout the UK who have been carefully vetted for their business integrity and art expertise.

Simone Bianco (before 1512 – after 1553) Venice, first half of the 16th century.  Head of an Idealised Man All’Antica.  White marble, 49 cm (19 ¼ in.) high
Tomasso
Niamh O’Malley, Rose fold, 2023
Belmacz

Membership

Membership of the Society is open to UK registered Art Market Participants (AMP’s) engaged in the sale of all forms of the fine arts. Membership covers a wide range of disciplines within the fine arts but is restricted to companies invited and/or vetted by the Executive Committee. To be considered for membership a dealer must have been in business for at least three years and be prepared to sign a written undertaking to comply with all relevant regulations, for example Anti Money Laundering, and uphold the Society’s Code of Ethics*.

The first world map to be signed by the artist – PTOLEMAEUS, Claudius; Johannes SCHNITZER OF ARMSZHEIM. [Untitled World Map]. [Ulm, 1482].
Daniel Crouch Rare Books Ltd

Activities

The Society represents the interests of its members in discussions with the UK government and other professional bodies on art trade issues. These include Anti Money Laundering regulations, VAT legislation, import and export regulations for art works and Artist’s Resale Rights. We facilitate access to professional advice on taxation and legal matters including training on, for example, Anti Money Laundering. We commission template documents on, for example, Terms & Conditions of Sale. We publish a quarterly newsletter and arranges webinars for members on key issues of the day, for example, Blockchain Technology.

David Spiller – All You Need Is Love, 1995
Acrylic and pencil on canvas. 73 x 84 in / 183 x 213.5 cm
Portland Gallery

Cooperation with other organisations

The Society is a founder member of the British Art Market Federation (BAMF) which was set up in 1996 to represent the interests of the art trade in discussion with the government and other bodies. The Society also cooperates closely with its sister organisations, The British Antique Dealers Association (BADA) and the Association of Art and Antique Dealers (LAPADA), with whom it has regular discussions on a wide range of matters.

Jean-Francois Raffaelli – Bouquet de Fleurs lumineux
Douwes Fine Art Ltd

International

The Society is a member of the Federation of European Art Galleries Associations (FEAGA). It also has close relations with the Art Dealers Association of America (ADAA) and with the French Syndicat des Antiquaires.

Boetti – Mappa, 1979
Ben Brown Fine Arts

Website

The Society runs an up to date website at www.slad.org.uk giving details of all its member firms with direct links to their own websites listing the names of the artists they deal in and in many cases details of items of stock, upcoming exhibitions etc.

DEALER SEARCH

Executive committee

The business and affairs of the Society are governed by an Executive Committee elected from the membership.

Committee members

Special advisers

  • Julian Agnew

  • Lady Angela Nevill

  • Patrick Bourne

  • The Hon Michael Tollemache

  • Sir Thomas Lighton

  • Johnny Van Haeften