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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Brounker Watts pocket watch up for grabs

24 April 2026

The London watch and clock maker Brounker Watts (c.1670-1717), an apprentice to Joseph Knibb, became a member of the Clockmakers Company in 1697.

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Natural history books from stock of Amsterdam specialist shine in London saleroom

24 April 2026

The global market for natural history books is alive and well as demonstrated by the 326-lot sale dubbed Natural History: the remaining stock of Antiquariaat Junk 1899-2026 at Forum Auctions (27/26% buyer’s premium).

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Kiwi pin cushion picked out as a rarity at Gloucestershire sale

24 April 2026

Flightless bird walks away with a new owner as silver novelty rarities catch the eye at Kinghams

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Anglo-Indian furniture in a good market place

24 April 2026

Though sourced separately, the two best-selling furniture lots at Gorringe’s (25% buyer’s premium) latest Fine Art & Interiors sale in Lewes were both products of colonial India.

Number plate ‘LOT 2’

And now we come to Lot 2, which is... well, it is Lot 2, literally

24 April 2026

What to buy the auctioneer who has it all?

Stretford End sign

Original Manchester United sign to be offered at Budds

23 April 2026

An original Manchester United sign that stood proudly aloft at Old Trafford is among the lots at Budds’ upcoming Made In Manchester sale.

Chilcotts
Kinghams' specialist Michael Jeffrey

Huge Flambé Landscape vase sets new record for any piece of Moorcroft pottery

21 April 2026

The quarter-century old auction record for Moorcroft pottery has been broken with the sale of a massive Flambé Landscape pattern vase for £32,000.

Buyer Clyde Lee and Christian Grundtvig

Singapore buyer flies to Denmark to collect Olympic medal secured at auction

21 April 2026

The buyer of an Olympic winner’s medal from the first Olympic Games has been revealed by auction house Bruun Rasmussen.

Ivon Hitchens landscape

Early Ivon Hitchens landscape tops estimate at Gloucestershire auction

20 April 2026

Among the Modern British art highlights sold in the English regions so far this spring was a striking landscape that made a significant sum for an early Ivon Hitchens (1893-1979) at Kinghams' (26% buyer’s premium) latest British Art & Design sale.

Victorian rosewood marquetry centre table
Walpole seal salver

Walpole’s first ‘seal’ salver found in New York comes to auction

17 April 2026

An historic piece of Georgian silver – the ‘pair’ to the famed Walpole ‘seal salver’ in the Victoria & Albert Museum – is being offered for sale following its recent rediscovery in New York.

Florence Nightingale letter

Florence Nightingale opines on the first Geneva Convention

17 April 2026

A letter written by Florence Nightingale in which she discusses the creation of the Red Cross and the Geneva Convention is being sold by Sworders.

Ephemera from the Red Barn Murder

Pick of the week: A barnstorming tale of murder most foul attracts bidders at Essex auction

17 April 2026

The Red Barn Murder of 1827, which occurred in the tiny rural village of Polstead, Suffolk was the biggest crime story of the era.

Iznik dish

Iznik pottery from two pioneer British collections returns to auction

17 April 2026

Produced in Ottoman Turkey between the 15th and 17th centuries, Iznik pottery experienced a sudden and passionate surge of Western interest in the mid 19th century.

Pierre Bergé & Associés

International acquisitions, appointments and expansions are among the latest round up of auction house news

17 April 2026

A new owner for Paris firm Pierre Bergé & Associés features in this Movers and Shakers round up

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Furniture and snuffbox benefit from a bit of regal assistance

17 April 2026

A Queen Anne olivewood oyster, holly and walnut cabinet on stand offered by Dreweatts (27/26% buyer’s premium) in Newbury was among a number of lots sold recently showing the commercial boost that royal provenance can provide.

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Splendour of Plender: robes and coronets

17 April 2026

Robes and coronets worn by notable dignitaries invited to coronations are not uncommon sights at auctions but often prove popular.

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Cypher machine takes more than eight-times estimate at German auction

17 April 2026

With only one key, the Diskret, which was offered at a recent sale at Auction Team Breker (21.8% buyer’s premium), did not conform to the conventional layout of a typewriter.

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Davy medal emerges in German sale

17 April 2026

In 1869, under the terms of the will of John Davy, brother of the celebrated chemist Humphry Davy, the Davy Medal was established in his name.

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