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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George II mirror measures up nicely to take £20,000 at auction

25 August 2025

This George II giltwood mirror in the Chippendale rococo taste c.1755 sold well over hopes for £20,000 at Moore Allen & Innocent (21% buyer’s premium).

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Live Aid programme signed by Sting, Phil Collins and Queen members marked ‘the greatest show on Earth’

25 August 2025

This year marks the 40th anniversary of one of the most extraordinary music concerts ever held: Live Aid.

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Attic amphora displays the god Dionysus

25 August 2025

From a deceased estate in Christchurch, this Attic black-figured terracotta neck amphora sold at £23,000 (estimate £3000-5000) at Duke’s (25% buyer’s premium) of Dorchester.

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Fitting result for Royal Worcester design genius George Owen

25 August 2025

A rare work by Royal Worcester’s near-legendary craftsman George Owen (1845-1912) led a sale at Philip Serrell (20% buyer’s premium) in Malvern, Worcestershire, this summer.

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Auction catalogues also collectable when it comes to the famous Lowther Castle sale

25 August 2025

Hugh Lowther, 5th Earl of Lonsdale (1857-1944) inherited enormous wealth derived from his father’s coalmines.

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Egyptian sculptural fragments are big hitters in a wide-ranging worldwide selection of lots

25 August 2025

Biannual sale at Gloucestershire firm once again provides eclectic range of lots from across the globe

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Creature comforts: desirable Doulton stoneware with the George Tinworth touch

25 August 2025

During his career at Doulton Lambeth, George Tinworth was celebrated for his series of New Testament scenes modelled in terracotta.

Sotheby's Breuer Building in New York

Sotheby’s to open Breuer Building premises ahead of flagship New York sales

21 August 2025

Auction house Sotheby’s has announced the opening date of its New York headquarters at the Breuer Building.

Harlequin Mini Crini

Vivienne Westwood collection brings punk spirit of the 1970s to the Yorkshire Dales

20 August 2025

What was thought to be the largest private collection of Vivienne Westwood (1941-2022) garments to be sold outside London went under the hammer at Tennants (24% buyer’s premium) in North Yorkshire on August 15.

Barbara Hepworth’s sculpture

Yorkshire museum to buy Barbara Hepworth sculpture after fundraising plea

19 August 2025

The Hepworth Wakefield and Art Fund have successfully raised £3.8m after a public appeal to save Barbara Hepworth’s 'Sculpture with Colour (Oval Form) Pale Blue and Red'.

A WH Smith Books On Poultry Keeping Sign

Signs of the times: collectors to bid for piece of British retail history at auction of WH Smith archive

18 August 2025

The sale ends on August 31 at Chorley’s in Prinknash Abbey Park, Cheltenham.

Forum Auctions

Forum Auctions splits from Dreweatts and Gurr Johns

18 August 2025

Books and works on paper specialist Forum Auctions has split from Dreweatts and parent company Gurr Johns.

Anti-money laundering

HMRC consults on fee increase to anti-money laundering rules

18 August 2025

Art and antiques dealers and auction houses that have to comply with anti-money laundering regulation are being asked to respond to proposals to increase HMRC’s fees.

Augsburg ring

Surprise: gold, jewelled and enamelled ring reveals hidden detail

18 August 2025

The latest Collector’s Cabinet auction at Freeman’s Hindman in Chicago included this remarkable gold, jewelled and enamelled ‘surprise’ ring.

Wemyss bulldog

Scarce Wemyss bulldog surfaces in the Cotswolds

18 August 2025

Wemyss Ware bulldogs decorated with cabbage roses were first made by Robert Heron’s Kirkcaldy factory in the early years of the 20th century.

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Saltglaze stoneware extravaganza in a South Yorkshire sale

18 August 2025

Collection formed by South African surgeon who worked in London supplies exceptional examples

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The magic of an occult themed lot: £3 3s becomes £7100

18 August 2025

Occult group listed by specialist bookseller in the 19th century reappears at a 21st century auction

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Furniture to the taste of 18th century aristocrats

18 August 2025

A George III bonheur du jour offered for sale at Roseberys (26/25/20% buyer’s premium) in south London provided a fascinating window onto the collecting tastes of the British aristocracy in the 18th century.

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Virgin and Child originally sat in a French chateau's chapel

18 August 2025

A rare and early late 11th or early 12th century wooden statue of the Virgin and Child in Majesty was the highlight of the 'Haute Epoque' auction of antiquities and early works of art held by Aguttes (25/23% buyer’s premium) at Neuilly-sur-Seine.

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A later, 1930s, Polar Medal, for a relief ship... but still a £4600 hammer price

18 August 2025

Estimated at £800-1200, a British Antarctic Polar expedition bronze medal and miniature took £4600 at Bentley’s (20% buyer’s premium) in Cranbrook, Kent.

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