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.

Miniature penknife

Exceptional 19th century miniature penknife stars in our pick of five auction highlights

21 December 2023

ATG’s weekly selection of items that caught bidders’ eyes includes a rare Joseph Rogers & Sons miniature penknife made for royal presentation that more than doubled estimate.

Sotheby's and Bonhams 

Bonhams posts best ever annual results after global expansion and Sotheby’s is on track for total sales of $8bn for 2023

20 December 2023

Bonhams revealed its sales totals for this year as Sotheby’s released a provisional figure.

Auction

Christie’s auction sales plummet due to macro economics and lack of stand-out single-owner sale

19 December 2023

Auction house Christie’s reported auction sales of $5bn (£4.06bn) in 2023, down 30% on 2022.

Lorenzetti’s panel

Rediscovered Old Masters in France sell to US collector

18 December 2023

Two rare Old Master paintings from the Sienese school of the early 14th century that had been rediscovered in France have been snapped up by an American collector.

Lucie Rie flaring footed porcelain bowl

‘True masterpiece’ bowl brings a new auction high for studio potter Lucie Rie

18 December 2023

The market for Lucie Rie ceramics continues to reach new heights.

Jussi Pylkkänen

Pylkkänen steps down from the Christie’s rostrum for the final time

18 December 2023

Christie’s latest series of ‘Classic Week’ auctions were the last conducted by global president and lead auctioneer Jussi Pylkkänen before leaving the company to become an independent art adviser.

Florence Nightingale

The ‘final photos’ of Florence Nightingale

18 December 2023

A fascinating personal collection of items relating to Florence Nightingale (1820-1910) that sold in a south London auction included what are among the last photographs ever taken of her.

Linocut by Cyril Power

Bring me sunshine: Rare Cyril Power linocut in demand at Bonhams

18 December 2023

Many of Cyril Edward Power’s (1872-1951) most sought-after subjects for his futurist-style linocuts involve different methods of public transport.

‘English School’ plumbago on vellum portrait miniatures

Pick of the week: Scientist made his living as a painter

18 December 2023

The most remarkable result at Cheffins’ Fine Art Sale in Cambridge was provided by a group of four ‘English School’ plumbago on vellum portrait miniatures.

Apple Boutique mural

Pioneering journalist with a ticket to ride

18 December 2023

She was the first female broadcaster to be heard on Radio 1 and the only journalist to accompany the Beatles during a four-day coach trip when they filmed their Magical Mystery Tour TV special.

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Smoking causes healthy results: tobacco related items

18 December 2023

Corporate collection of British American Tobacco includes choice antique items related to the habit

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Muralist’s work impresses on a much smaller scale

18 December 2023

The highest auction prices for Mary Adshead (1904-95) all came at Sotheby’s Olympia back in 2006.

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Servant portrait shows respect

18 December 2023

When it was last on public view, at a Berlin exhibition in 1981, the Portrait of a Black Courtier was attributed to the early 18th century Prussian court painter Antoine Pesne.

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Copeland dinner service came from Lowther sale

18 December 2023

There were many massive English country house sales in the 20th century but the largest by volume was the contents sale at Lowther Castle during April, May and June 1947.

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Regency sofas with a rich provenance

18 December 2023

The Fine & Decorative Interiors sale at The Pedestal (25% buyer’s premium) included a pair of Regency white painted and gilt sofas with a rich provenance.

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Leonardo copy rocks up in Vienna

18 December 2023

Plenty of potential takers emerged for an early copy of Leonardo’s 'Madonna of the Rocks' at the Dorotheum (25/20.84% buyer’s premium) sale of Old Masters.

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Specialist supports brain tumour research charity

18 December 2023

Lyon & Turnbull specialist and BBC Antiques Roadshow expert Theo Burrell has become a formal patron of the Brain Tumour Research (BTR) charity.

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Reminder of Rennie Mackintosh’s Suffolk sojourn

18 December 2023

A group of Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868-1928) watercolours and drawings were sold on behalf of the Glasgow Art Club at Lyon & Turnbull’s (26% buyer’s premium) Design since 1860 sale in Edinburgh.

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Why it’s time for llongyfarchiadau

18 December 2023

Auctioneer congratulates ex-pat bidder in Welsh as she buys a Kyffin Williams for the first time

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Turing and Bayley in tandem as scientific archive comes to the saleroom

18 December 2023

Newly discovered papers show how renowned mathematician and his collaborator worked hand in hand

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