Auctioneers

The auction process is a key part of the secondary art and antiques market.

Firms of auctioneers usually specialise in a number of fields such as jewellery, ceramics, paintings, Asian art or coins but many also hold general sales where the goods available are not defined by a particular genre and are usually lower in value.

Auctioneers often provide other services such as probate and insurance valuations.

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Strawberry dish goes solo to sell for £7000 hammer less than a month later

01 December 2025

Although termed strawberry dishes, the classic early Georgian plain serving dish with raised fluted sides and a scalloped rim, were used for a variety of purposes.

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The Bard for a third and fourth time in foil form

01 December 2025

While nowhere near the level of the First Folio of Shakespeare’s work, later versions are still big sellers

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‘Extraordinary window into events that shaped the early 20th century’

01 December 2025

Four lots once belonging to British army officer, author and artist – and fascist sympathiser – Lieutenant-Colonel Graham Seton Hutchison (1890-1946) went under the hammer at Special Auction Services (20% buyer’s premium) in Newbury.

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Story time: How silver items with a strong narrative can survive being sent for scrap

01 December 2025

Sustained scrap silver prices of more than £30 an ounce have sent large quantities of middle-of-the-road Georgian and Victorian domestic silver to the melting pot. Today, to sell well above the bullion price, it helps if silver comes with a strong narrative. ATG reports on a few great storytellers.

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Gale warnings and sale earnings: Graham Stewart contemporary styles

01 December 2025

Scottish contemporary silver by Graham Leishman Stewart (1955-2020), squirreled away for decades in private collections, is now slowly beginning to reach the secondary market.

Movers & Shakers

Auction house expansions, relocations and hires around the UK and US

01 December 2025

A round up of the latest Movers and Shakers

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Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh mysticism makes an impact on bidders

01 December 2025

Shakespearean themed watercolour takes hammer price of £75,000 as confirmation of the artist’s status

Cypriot jug

Pre-Christian Cypriot jug returns to Cyprus after government intervenes ahead of auction

28 November 2025

A jug dating to 750BC and due to be auctioned at Cotswold Auction Company in Cirencester will now be returning to Cyprus.

Money Laundering Directive

HMRC increases anti-money laundering fees

28 November 2025

HMRC will increase the fees for anti-money laundering (AML) supervision.

Femme Cousant by Henri Lebasque

Henri Lebasque interior scene turns heads in West Sussex

27 November 2025

Works showing quiet and comfortable domestic settings feature prominently in the output of the prolific French artist Henri Lebasque (1865-1937).

A cello bow made by François-Xavier Tourte

Rare cello bow could set new auction record

26 November 2025

A cello bow by fêted maker François-Xavier Tourte is to be offered for sale on December 4 at Vichy Enchères with an estimate of €300,000-350,000.

Red chalk drawing

‘Unknown study by Michelangelo for the Sistine Chapel’ to be offered at Christie’s

25 November 2025

It is apparently not unusual for Christie’s to receive approaches from people claiming to have a work by a great Renaissance master.

Henry House

Henry House to join Dreweatts as CEO

25 November 2025

Newbury auction house Dreweatts has hired Henry House from Sotheby’s.

Triptych

Museum launches funding plea to keep rediscovered 15th century almshouse triptych in Dorset  

25 November 2025

A 15th century Flemish devotional triptych discovered in an almshouse in Dorset is to be offered at auction next month with an estimate of £2.5m-3.5m.

George III parquetry box

George III parquetry box with 72 wood specimens offered at Dreweatts

24 November 2025

This rare George III parquetry box containing approximately 72 wood specimens to all sides and the interior was almost certainly made by Gillows c.1810.

Wallis and Wallis

East Sussex auction house Wallis & Wallis relaunched by long-standing staff members

24 November 2025

East Sussex auction house Wallis & Wallis has new owners after being with the same family for more than 50 years.

Tattoo design

Tattoo pioneer got to the point

24 November 2025

Working in the Bowery neighbourhood in Lower Manhattan in the late 19th century, Samuel O’Reilly (1854-1909) transformed the art of tattooing.

18ct gold pocket watch

Titanic passenger’s gold pocket watch takes £1.5m – setting a new auction record

24 November 2025

A pocket watch belonging to a first-class passenger who lost his life on the Titanic was hammered down at £1.5m, or £1.78m including 22.5% buyer’s premium.

Suzannah Yip

Japanese art expert Suzannah Yip joins Alastair Gibson Auctions

24 November 2025

Leading Japanese works of art specialist Suzannah Yip is now working in partnership with Alastair Gibson Auctions in Kent.

2720 AB Crick Diaries

On a winner in the saleroom with lots relating to Nobel Prizes

24 November 2025

A group of manuscripts that featured letters from 12 Nobel Prize-winning scientists was offered as part of Sworders’ (25% buyer’s premium) Books and Maps timed online sale ending on November 2.

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