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.

Leaf

Fern foundations of photographs used in books were laid by pioneering botanist Anna Atkins

01 October 2025

The botanist, artist and photographer Anna Atkins (1799-1871) is thought to have been the first woman to have created a photograph and the first person to publish a book illustrated with photographic images.

Luton Hoo

Film location and historic home Luton Hoo plans auction ahead of major refurbishment

30 September 2025

Furniture and accessories from the historic country estate Luton Hoo in Bedfordshire are coming to auction.

Madonna and Child painting

Bidding battle in Banbury propels Old Master to six-figure sum

29 September 2025

A Madonna and Child painting, catalogued as by an ‘Italian Old Master’, took an astonishing £685,000 hammer price at an auction in Banbury.

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Fellows takes on new owner and aims for higher value consignments

29 September 2025

Auction house Fellows has a new owner, with 100% of the business - previously owned by the Whittaker family - having been sold to a private investor.

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Nelson figurehead that turned heads

29 September 2025

This wood and plaster maquette of a carved ship figurehead of Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson was keenly contested when it appeared at the Liverpool saleroom of Adam Partridge.

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Medals of Falklands War battle hero up for sale at Noonans

29 September 2025

The Battle of Goose Green was relatively small in size but a fierce and important action in the Falklands War, notable for the Victoria Cross awarded posthumously to Colonel ‘H’ Jones of the Parachute Regiment.

Eric Slater woodcut

Woodcuts come to the fore at East Sussex auction

29 September 2025

A small group of 20th century woodcuts showing local Sussex scenes were among the pictures bringing demand at the latest Art & Design Post 1880 at Gorringe’s (plus 25% buyer’s premium).

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Bidders go ape to take Frazetta fantasy art to record high

29 September 2025

Frank Frazetta’s cover painting for a 1967 Lancer/Ace Conan paperback, a landmark of modern fantasy art commonly known as Man Ape, sold for a world record $13.5m (£9.99m) including the buyer’s premium at Heritage Auctions.

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Moving and macabre mementoes that mattered for Jacobites

29 September 2025

A rare snuff box commemorating the escape of Charles II from Parliamentary forces after the Battle of Worcester was the highlight of Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood’s (26% buyer’s premium) silver and jewellery sale in Exeter.

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Shannon artwork shipped from Flanders for sale in Surrey

29 September 2025

Among the most eye-catching pictures that emerged at the summer auctions around the country were a couple of early 20th century portraits of young women.

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Ticket for George III's coronation brings demand in Shropshire sale

29 September 2025

This official ticket allowed admission to Westminster Abbey for the coronation of George III on September 22, 1761.

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Plaques that mean no meat, alcohol or sex

29 September 2025

A recent sale at The Cotswold Auction Company (24% buyer’s premium) in Cirencester included three famille rose porcelain abstinence plaques.

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Kangxi bowl once bought for £95, now £65,000 at Wimbledon Auctions

29 September 2025

Invoice reveals the original deal for a Kangxi bowl that emerged from a London private collection

Francis Crick diaries

DNA pioneer Francis Crick’s diaries emerge at Essex auction

26 September 2025

Diaries written by Francis Crick (1916-2004), the English molecular biologist who played a crucial role in deciphering the helical structure of the DNA molecule, come for sale at Essex firm Sworders this autumn.

John Bull taking a luncheon by James Gillray

How posthumous copies of Gillray prints have a history of their own

25 September 2025

The story of James Gillray’s (1757-1815) print plates is something of a mixture of comedy and tragedy – not unlike the great caricaturist’s life itself.

Dunhill aquarium lighter

Special commission: Dunhill lighter showing 50-1 Ascot winner sells at David Duggleby

24 September 2025

A specially commissioned Dunhill 'aquarium' table lighter marking the victory of an unfancied horse at Ascot sold for £12,500 at auction in Scarborough.

William Hedges painting

Rare views by elusive artist William Hedges bring bidders at London sale

24 September 2025

Demand for rare topographical pictures remains an area of strength in the art market.

Carlton Ware

Pick of the week: Sensational bidding for Carlton Ware ceramics in the Scottish Borders

22 September 2025

One of the strongest sums for Carlton Ware in recent times has been set in the Scottish Borders.

George III commode

End of an era as Hyde Park Antiques closes New York gallery

22 September 2025

After 60 years on Broadway, Hyde Park Antiques is closing its gallery and holding a stock clearance sale at Sotheby’s.

The Kiss II woodcut by Edvard Munch

Remarkable family collection takes Munch prints prices to an unprecedented level

22 September 2025

Galerie Kornfeld in Bern devoted the evening session at its auction on September 11 to a remarkable collection of prints by the Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. It was rewarded by some equally remarkable prices.

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