Latest News Articles by Matt Ball

Chris Barrie with some of his signs

Red Dwarf star’s automobilia collection heads to auction

15 August 2025

Enamel signs are among the items from actor Chris Barrie that will be sold in September in Dorset.

Sherbrooke, a painting by Tom Roberts

Four major Australian paintings to go under the hammer at Smith & Singer

13 August 2025

Works by Tom Roberts, Arthur Streeton, Grace Cossington Smith, and Howard Arkley to be offered for sale on August 19

Nature Morte Aux Financiers, a painting by Lubin Baugin

Rediscovered rare still-life by enigmatic French painter heads to auction

13 August 2025

The recently-found work by Lubin Baugin will be offered for sale at French auction house Vichy Enchères on August 16.

Auctioneer David Elstob Holding Collecting Gravel By Ralph Staithes

North-east art stars in dealer’s retirement sale at Elstob

11 August 2025

A notable collection of paintings, with a strong emphasis on north-east landscapes and coastal scenes, will be offered for sale on Thursday 28 August.

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Martel Maides hits 50 and is set for a new home

21 July 2025

Onwards and upwards as Guernsey auction house thrives on island life

The King’s Tour Artists exhibition

A Royal 'paint off': Who painted it best - the King or commoner?

10 July 2025

A new exhibition of works from King Charles’ private collection allows a comparison of His Majesty's handiwork and a professional artist.

Introduction: The hot ticket

23 June 2025

Summer brings us both fine weather and fine art. It is the perfect time to get out and about.

Helen Day

Collector Interview: From Little Red Riding Hood to a nationwide exhibition

12 May 2025

Helen Day is a language teacher, collector of Ladybird books and expert on the history of the books and the company behind them.

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Philosopher born into slavery

12 May 2025

Greek philosopher Epictetus (c.50-c.135AD) is best-known for his contribution to Stoicism.

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Selling art in challenging times: Art Market Report 2025

12 May 2025

A recent survey reveals a drop in dealers’ sales combined with a sharp rise in costs

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Education, education, education at Fellows

05 May 2025

The Jewellery department at Fellows Auctioneers in Birmingham is celebrating three new qualifications for its team.

UK regains second place as global art market cools

14 April 2025

The global art market contracted by 12% in 2024, achieving an estimated $57.5bn in total sales, according the latest edition of The Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report. It found that this decline reflects “ongoing geopolitical tensions, economic pressures, and shifting buyer behaviours”.

Trade urged to be alert over financial sanctions reporting

14 April 2025

Art market businesses in the UK will shortly become subject to reporting requirements for financial sanctions.

Adrien Meyer of Christie’s

UK regains second place as global art market cools

11 April 2025

The global art market contracted by 12% in 2024, achieving an estimated $57.5bn in total sales, according to a new report.

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The tale of Great Aunt Betty, key British designer of the 1920s-30s and a fiercely independent woman

03 March 2025

“To the inhabitants of Wyndham Road, an unremarkable cul-desac of bungalows in Andover in Hampshire, Mary Stewart Lockhart, the white-haired old lady in number 5, must have seemed equally unremarkable… None of them could have realised that between the World Wars she had been one of the leading furniture makers, designers and businesswomen in the country.”

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Collector interview: It all started with just one plate to go on a dresser…

17 February 2025

Susan Pickett, a retired community nurse from Cornwall, is vice-chairman of The Daniel Ceramic Circle. Her own collection of items made by the H&R Daniel manufactory began when she was looking for a plate to fit a space on a dresser. One piece soon became three, which later became more than 200.

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Collector interview: much more than just a spoonful of expertise served up by a specialist

27 January 2025

To say that retired police officer Brab Hallowes has a passion for collecting would be something of an understatement.

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Single-owner Mason collection racks up all-sold result

27 January 2025

With estimates set at modest levels, Bourne End Auction Rooms (17.5% buyer’s premium) notched up a 100% sold rate for its offering of the Velma Young collection on January 7.

Three Mason's pottery jugs

White glove sale for collection of Mason’s pottery

13 January 2025

With estimates set at modest levels, Bourne End Auction Rooms notched up a 100% sold roster for its offering of the Velma Young collection on January 7.

Mason's ironstone Cornucopia

Single-owner collection of Mason’s pottery comes to Buckinghamshire auction

02 January 2025

Bourne End Auction Rooms is set to offer for sale 111 lots from the Velma Young collection on January 7.