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.

Dapping on Lough Mask, County Mayo by Paul Henry

Paul Henry tops Irish art sale at Whyte’s

01 June 2026

A painting by Paul Henry (1876-1958) of Lough Mask, a vast natural limestone lake stretching between Galway and County Mayo in Ireland, led the latest sale of Irish art at Dublin saleroom Whyte’s.

Sue Tilley, the sitter in Lucian Freud's painting

Lucian Freud’s ‘benefits supervisor’ portrait emerges from the Lewis collection at Sotheby’s

29 May 2026

One of Lucian Freud’s (1922-2011) most famous portraits will appear at Sotheby’s sale of the Lewis collection in June.

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William Wordsworth house contents up for auction in the town where he was born

29 May 2026

Furnishings and personal items from Rydal Mount, the final home of the Romantic poet William Wordsworth, will be offered at auction this month.

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Tile once adorned Kashmiri gateway

29 May 2026

The cuerda seca (dry cord or kashi) technique of decorating tiles was developed in Central Asia during the latter part of the 14th century.

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Charlie Watts' bird box on song at Exeter auction

29 May 2026

This 19th century gilt metal and enamel singing bird automaton that took £17,000 was among the highlights of the Charlie and Shirley Watts collection sold by Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood.

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Beaker, boarding house and a Russian empress

29 May 2026

The story of this late 19th century Russian beaker goes back to a boarding house in Harrogate in 1894.

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Man Utd’s Gregg still revered by modern day fans

29 May 2026

Collection of goalkeeper who survived 1958 Munich disaster generates a strong demand at auction, plus Liverpool FC favourites in focus at auction

2746 AB US Potter Houdini

Houdini challenge accepted

29 May 2026

Part of the legend of escapologist Harry Houdini (1874-1926) rests on the hundreds of ‘challenges’ he accepted from manufacturers of packing cases, boxes, handcuffs and the like.

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Earliest Celtic FC winner’s medal nets a record for such Scottish memorabilia

29 May 2026

On the day the 15ct gold and enamel medal Celtic FC’s latest Scottish title success clinched in the very last game of the season against Hearts came 133 years after their first.

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Auction lots act as reminders of Hammers, Wolves and Spurs in happier days

29 May 2026

A horrible season for West Ham, Spurs and Wolves has come to an end... but glory days for the clubs were recalled by several lots sold recently.

Items designed by William De Morgan

Showcase staged to celebrate William De Morgan

29 May 2026

From May 26-29 Gloucestershire auction house Kinghams held a spring exhibition titled 'William De Morgan Master Potter'.

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Going back to the origins of Crystal Palace and Arsenal – postcards capture club pioneers

29 May 2026

The two images of 1907-08 shown here are from a group of nine postcards relating to Crystal Palace FC that were given a modest estimate of £50-80 in the Paper Collectables sale at Toovey’s (25% buyer’s premium) on May 20.

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Was ‘Red Fuji’ painted by Wirgman Jr?

29 May 2026

Small but intriguing coastal scene estimated at just £50-80 spotted by eager bidders and taken to £3500

2746 AB US Heritage Asterisk 1

Original Asterix cover art earns its laurels

29 May 2026

An original piece of Astérix cover art painted by Albert Uderzo (1927-2020) sold for an $360,000 (£267,000) at Heritage Auctions (25% buyer’s premium) in Dallas, Texas.

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Vanderbilt collection dishes out British treats

29 May 2026

Geneva’s blue ribbon jewellery sales are not the obvious place to find a suite of mid-18th century English silver dessert plates.

A trade card featuring Billy Bassett of West Bromwich Albion

Tiny winger, towering result: Billy Bassett Baines card hammers at 36 times top estimate

27 May 2026

West Bromwich Albion legend brings in the bidders

Cityscape by Francis Newton Souza

Souza works owned by Indian art critic raise six-figure sum at Sloane Street Auctions

27 May 2026

Francis Newton Souza (1924-2002) remains the most established name on the secondary market when it comes to modern Indian pictures.

Bonhams

Promotions, new hires and rebrands feature in the latest art and antiques news round up

26 May 2026

A rebrand at Bonhams and promotions at Woolley & Wallis are among this week’s Movers & Shakers

HMS Victory model

HMS Victory model given to Margaret Thatcher sails away at auction

26 May 2026

A model of Nelson’s flagship Victory made by French prisoners-of-war a few years before the Battle of Trafalgar which was later given to Margaret Thatcher has sold for a £92,000 hammer price.

Portrait of the Duke of Wellington

Thomas Lawrence portrait of Duke of Wellington heads back to auction

23 May 2026

A portrait of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, by Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830) will be offered at Christie’s this summer.

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