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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Pamphlet sold in West Sussex shows William Wordsworth turning from revolutionary to reactionary

04 August 2025

The books section at a recent Toovey’s (24.5% buyer’s premium) auction included a volume containing more than a dozen early 19th century political pamphlets concerning the issue of reform.

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Sandoz rabbit hops into Kent sale

04 August 2025

Along with Francois Pompon and Rembrandt Bugatti, Edouard Marcel Sandoz (1881-1971) was one of the leading animal sculptors of the Art Nouveau and Art Deco periods.

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Titus rises: Another Roman antiquity success at Essex saleroom

04 August 2025

Bust once thought to be 18th century reassessed as 1st century AD after auction house’s research

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Ruskin Spear's portrait of Margaret Thatcher bags attention as part of prime ministers picture line-up

04 August 2025

A set of pictures thought to be the largest collection of portraits of British prime ministers in private hands emerged at Sloane Street Auctions (26.5% buyer’s premium) earlier this summer.

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Holy Family from Sacred Heart - but in whose hand?

04 August 2025

Among the Italian Old Masters bringing interest at auctions across the country over the summer was an intriguing painting of the Holy Family that emerged at Lyon & Turnbull (26% buyer’s premium) in Edinburgh.

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Two Churchill maquettes by Oscar Nemon appear at auction seven days apart

04 August 2025

When Clementine Ogilvy Spencer Churchill, the wife of Sir Winston, first saw a now-famous bronze sculpture by Oscar Nemon showing her late husband reclining in his seat, she remarked: “This is how I see him and that is how I love him.”

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Chalençon collection: More than 100 Napoleon lots ride into auction action

04 August 2025

Pierre-Jean Chalençon is well known as an enthusiast for Napoleonic memorabilia and this summer Sotheby’s Paris (27/22/15% buyer’s premium) offered just over 100 lots from his collection.

Francesco Guardi

Global auction sales decline but better results for Old Masters and decorative arts

01 August 2025

The latest art market report by ArtTactic revealed that global auction sales at Christie’s, Sotheby’s and Phillips fell by 6.2% for the first half of 2025.

Richard Kay

Latest hires including picture specialist Richard Kay joining Woolley & Wallis

01 August 2025

The latest Movers & Shakers including at auction houses Woolley & Wallis, Bonhams and 1818 Auctioneers.

Piprahwa Gems

Historic Piprahwa gems return to India in private sale after planned Sotheby’s auction cancelled

31 July 2025

A collection of relics linked to the historical Buddha will now go on public display in India.

William De Morgan sketchbook

William De Morgan strikes twice as sketchbook and charger emerge in Gloucestershire

30 July 2025

Two contrasting works by William De Morgan (1839-1917) – a sketchbook and a triple-lustre charger – were offered for sale by Dominic Winter in consecutive sales this month.

A zinc covered Louis Vuitton trunk

Second Louis Vuitton trunk steams into Surrey saleroom

30 July 2025

Following the sale of a rare 1920s Louis Vuitton Explorer trunk for a hammer price of £130,000 at John Nicholson’s on June 11, a second example emerged at the Surrey auction house this month.

Fowey Harbour by Joseph Southall

‘Charming and dream-like’ Joseph Southall picture sails to £30,000 at Tennants

30 July 2025

The highest auction price for Joseph Edward Southall (1861-1944) for eight years came at Tennants (24% buyer’s premium) latest British, European & Sporting Art sale.

Stanley Gibbons Baldwin's

Stanley Gibbons Baldwin’s launches National Collectors’ Day

29 July 2025

A London auction house is launching a new day honouring collectors

Charleston by Duncan Grant

Bloomsbury pictures come to the fore at York saleroom’s first Modern Art sale

29 July 2025

Three Bloomsbury Group paintings, two by Duncan Grant (1885-1978) and one by Vanessa Bell (1879-1961), lit up the inaugural Modern Art sale at Duggleby Stephenson of York (25% buyer’s premium).

Harry Potter books

Signed first edition run of seven Harry Potter books takes six-figure sum at US auction

29 July 2025

A group of seven first edition hardback copies of the Harry Potter books, all signed by author JK Rowling, were hammered down at $130,000/£97,500 (or $162,500 including premium) by Heritage Auctions.

Egyptian New Kingdom grasshopper

Ancient Egyptian grasshopper takes six-figure sum at auction

28 July 2025

An ancient Egyptian cosmetic vessel made in the form of a grasshopper or cicada sold for £340,000 at Apollo Art Auctions in London on July 27.

Joshua Johnson portrait

Pair of paintings come to auction from first known black American professional portraitist

28 July 2025

A pair of portraits by Joshua Johnson (c.1763-c.1825), one of the earliest black professional painters in the United States, is coming to auction this summer.

2705AR Tennants Tommy Cooper Robe

Magic robe worn by Tommy Cooper during his last performance now bought at auction by David Copperfield

25 July 2025

A robe worn by magician and comedian Tommy Cooper (1921-84) during the performance in which he which he suffered a heart attack and collapsed on stage has been sold at a North Yorkshire auction.

James Webb painting

View of the Louvre adds European flavour to south London sale

25 July 2025

Underlining the potential of artworks still to draw European interest in the post-Brexit market, a good number of pictures brought notable bidding from across the Channel at a recent Roseberys auction.

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