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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First Period lantern clock and George Graham longcase emerge in regional sales

20 March 2026

Discovered as a ‘box of bits’ in the late 1960s when clearing the attic of a London residence, a ‘First Period’ lantern clock was placed in storage until being put back together in the 1980s.

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Pieces emerge from famous Sèvres service make 20 times estimate

20 March 2026

Elements of a well-documented Empire period Sèvres dinner and dessert service surfaced at Kinghams (26% buyer’s premium) in Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, on March 4.

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Famous for grand portraits, de László shows a more intimate side

20 March 2026

Paintings of youngsters prove popular but provide a looser, less formal and spontaneous appeal

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Bidders see the point of needlework

20 March 2026

A diminutive but rare mid-17th century needlework picture sold for £11,000 in Tennants’ (24% buyer’s premium) latest Fashion, Costume and Textiles Sale.

11 Mar Ring On Model (1)

Record prices for diamond jewels at UK auctions

19 March 2026

Two items of diamond jewellery achieved record sums for UK salerooms Duke’s and Elmwoods this week.

Movers

New faces at Sworders and Gorringe's and a promotion at Woolley & Wallis

18 March 2026

The latest Movers & Shakers from around the world of art and antiques

battle scene painting

Bidding battle: Old Master brings fierce competition in Wimbledon

17 March 2026

A dramatic competition came for a Mannerist battle scene that emerged at Wimbledon Auctions’ (25% buyer’s premium) two-day sale on March 2-3.

Ardbraccan House

Former Christie’s specialist-turned antiques dealer sells Irish country house contents at auction

17 March 2026

Serena Williams-Ellis, a former Christie’s specialist who became an antiques dealer then interior designer, owned and decorated Ardbraccan House in County Meath, Ireland for the past decade.

Jade Jagger

Designer and former model Jade Jagger auctions items from her Georgian home in Gloucestershire

16 March 2026

British jewellery and interior designer Jade Jagger, the daughter of Rolling Stones lead singer Mick Jagger and his former wife Bianca, is selling works from her collection at Sworders.

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Kossoff's swimming pool makes a splash in strong Modern British line-up

13 March 2026

Works by Modern British artists dominated the latest series of Modern and Contemporary art auctions in London.

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Elizabethan Golden Age table shines at auction

13 March 2026

This “incredibly rare elaborate, fantastical and exquisitely carved” oak draw-leaf table, dating from the Golden Age of the English Renaissance, stood out at the Paul Fitzsimmons – A Life in Oak sale.

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Buchinger drawing on offer in Cambridge

13 March 2026

A rare drawing by Matthias Buchinger (1674-1740), the remarkable 18th-century German artist born without hands or feet, is going under the hammer at Cheffins on March 25 estimated at £1000-1500.

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Corkscrew? Saw? Screwdriver? Yes, but it’s not a Swiss army knife

13 March 2026

A rare silver multi-functional gentleman’s tool by the celebrated firm Holtzapffel & Co proved to be the stand-out lot at Flints' latest sale.

Nick Nicholson and Aviva Lehmann

New hires at Heritage Auctions and Lyon & Turnbull are among the latest Movers & Shakers

13 March 2026

From decorative arts and jewellery to new offices and law, here is a selection of the latest hires across the world of art and antiques

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Former dealer’s remarkable Oscar Wilde collection takes four times the estimated total

13 March 2026

The Oscar Wilde Collection formed over 60 years by bibliophile and former dealer in Oriental antiques Jeremy Mason prompted collectors to come out in force and was 100% sold at Bonhams (28/27% buyer’s premium) in Knightsbridge.

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Great Scots regalia on offer at auction

13 March 2026

Georgian regalia from two famous Scottish regiments was sold by Railtons (20% buyer’s premium) in Wooler, Northumberland, on February 20.

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Hunter, Hunt and Hurt... and Forbes

13 March 2026

Among a selection of 19th and early 20th century pictures at Anderson & Garland’s (25% buyer’s premium) latest Fine Art Auction was an attractive painting by Elizabeth Adela Forbes (1859-1912).

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Medal man Mark Smith interview: how keeping it real is key to understanding this market

13 March 2026

Medals expert familiar to millions through the Antiques Roadshow chats about his latest book telling a very personal story.

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Peninsular War medal with clasps for nine actions underlines a soldier's dangerous service

13 March 2026

A medal with nine clasps from a soldier who was wounded in the head and twice in the thigh during the Peninsular War stood out in a recent sale held by Stanley Gibbons Baldwin’s (23% buyer’s premium).

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Maker's mark helps papier-mâché vase fly to 10 times estimate

13 March 2026

Japanned Jennens & Bettridge creation gains value as rare survivor in such good condition

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