Sporting merger in the art world

The newly merged Tryon and Rountree galleries have opened their first joint exhibition, ‘The Sporting Sale', which runs until June 25.‘We've been talking about merging since last year and started getting plans in place a few months ago,' explains Jamie Rountree. ‘Oliver [Swann, Tryon owner] wants to retire in about five years' time and, between us, we've established a niche market in sporting, wildlife and maritime art and are getting a lot of buyers, especially from America.'

Sir John Thorold's hunters with groom at Syston Park, Lincolnshire, by British sporting artist

John E. Ferneley Snr (1781-1860)

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Mr Rountree formerly worked for Bonhams and Christie's and opened his gallery in Chelsea in 2009. Mr Swann also started life in the major auction houses, founding his first gallery in 1975. In 1995, he joined forces with Aylmer Tryon and, in 2000, acquired the business of the Malcolm Innes Gallery at 7, Bury Street, London SW1, where the new venture is based. The Rountree Tryon Galleries (020-7839 8083; www.rountreetryon.com) will be at the CLA Game Fair (July 19-21).

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