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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Five questions with Stanley Gibbons chief executive Victoria Lajer

18 November 2024

Stanley Gibbons and Baldwin’s have been cornerstones of the philatelic, numismatic and wider collectables community for a combined 300 years. Victoria Lajer is the current CEO, and began working in the world of philately in 2007.

2669 FE Silver Catherine Southon

How special quality can help silver to beat a scrapyard fate

18 November 2024

With the scrap price of silver at such a high level the sad truth is that many items will end up in the melting pot.

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‘Mallet’ vase ready for hammer time

18 November 2024

Among the attractions at Nagel’s auction of Asian art on December 9 in Stuttgart is a blue and white imperial vase from the Kangxi period (1662-1722).

Chinese dragon dish

Qing wares deliver strong performance at UK Asian art series

15 November 2024

The wider market is increasingly selective, but Qing mark and period porcelain continues to shine in the saleroom.

Fra Angelico's Crucifixion

Ashmolean Museum buys export-blocked Fra Angelico panel

15 November 2024

Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum has acquired a Fra Angelico (fl.1417-55) Crucifixion scene which was blocked from export following its sale at Christie’s last year.

Cheltenham Cup

Cheltenham Gold Cup a winner at auction

14 November 2024

The cup awarded to the owner of 1948 winner Cottage Rake doubled its estimate at Graham Budd

Anthony van Dyck horse

Van Dyck horse portrait rides back into the saleroom

14 November 2024

Vendor looks to double their money after discovering Anthony Van Dyck’s ‘only surviving landscape’ on the back of equestrian portrait

Titanic Postcard Edit

Titanic postcard with Cork postmark to appear at Henry Aldridge

13 November 2024

The written note was from passenger Richard William Smith, who perished with 1500 others three days later

Mamluk mosque lamp

Bonhams sets new auction record for any glass object

13 November 2024

A 14th-century mosque lamp from Egypt or Syria achieved the highest price for a glass object at auction when it sold at four times estimate at Bonhams in London yesterday.

Ahmed Mater, Untitled

Sotheby’s set for first auction in Saudi Arabia

12 November 2024

Sotheby’s is planning its first auction in Saudi Arabia in what will be the first sale to be held by an international auction house in the kingdom.

Dorothy Bohm photograph

Kettle's Yard buys Dorothy Bohm photograph taken in Cambridge museum

12 November 2024

Among a group of works from the estate of the late photographer Dorothy Bohm (1924-2023) offered at a recent Lyon & Turnbull sale was a photo taken at Kettle's Yard, Cambridge in the early 1980s.

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Clock-watch sounds the alarm at £27,000

11 November 2024

This remarkable Charles II period silver clock-watch with alarm appeared for sale at Wotton Auction Rooms in Gloucestershire this month.

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Meissen slapstick figure highlights Merkle collection auction

11 November 2024

The second instalment of Meissen porcelain from the collection of German businessman Hadrian Maria Oskar Merkle (1942-2018) was sold at a recent sale at Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr of Paris.

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16th century purse makes 60 times estimate

11 November 2024

This late Tudor or early Stuart purse or sweet bag with a connection to Mary, Queen of Scots sold for £30,000 (plus 25% buyer’s premium) at a recent sale at Hutchinson Scott.

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News in brief including Bonhams offering a major Ming dynasty furniture collection

11 November 2024

A round-up of art and antiques news from the previous seven days, including news of the inaugural sales series at Bonhams new Hong Kong premises

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Watches: White glove sale for pocket watches collection in Australia

11 November 2024

A single-owner collection of rare 17th to 19th century pocket watches in Australia achieved a white-glove result with 95% of the sale going to international buyers

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Ghent gains an Elizabeth I letter thanks to auction purchase

11 November 2024

Belgian city’s council was successful with pre-sale deal to buy queen’s plea on behalf of political prisoners

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Terence Cuneo works both classic and curious on offer in Essex

11 November 2024

A cross-section of the work of Terence Cuneo (1907-96) featured as part of Sworders’ latest sale of Modern and Contemporary Art in Stansted Mountfitchet.

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Burne-Jones family connection brings in bidders

11 November 2024

Four items including an Irish harp and William Morris designs boasted a family connection to the artist

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Solar power suited special forces navigating in the desert

11 November 2024

“The Long Range Desert Group were masters of navigation and one of Britain’s most famous special forces. They owed much of their success to the scientific talents of their first commander, Major Ralph Bagnold, whose sun-compass invention revolutionised desert travel.” (National Army Museum.)

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