International

About 80% of the global art market by value takes place outside the UK. The largest art market in the world is the US with China in third place (after the UK) followed by France, Germany and Switzerland.

Many more nations have a rich art and antiques heritage with active auction, dealer, fair, gallery and museum sectors even if their market size by value is smaller.

Read the top stories and latest art and antiques news from all these countries.

Mexican document

FBI returns historic conquistador manuscript to Mexico

27 August 2025

A manuscript linked to a Spanish conquistador and believed stolen in the 1980s has been given to the Mexican government.

Kashmir sapphire

Two more Kashmir sapphires emerge at Dublin auction

27 August 2025

Just four months after the sale of a 6.22ct old-cut Kashmir sapphire for an Irish record of €550,000 (£461,250), Adam’s in Dublin is offering two more of the fabled gemstones.

Dick Fosbury's 1968 Olympics gold medal

Dick Fosbury’s Olympic gold medal soars at auction

26 August 2025

In a poignant tribute to one of track and field's most revolutionary figures, items once owned by Olympic high jump gold medallist Dick Fosbury have been sold by Heritage Auctions in Dallas.

Léon Spilliaert self-portrait

Belgian symbolist portrait shown at TEFAF acquired by Art Institute of Chicago

26 August 2025

A self-portrait by Belgian artist Léon Spilliaert (1881-1946) featured on the stand of David Lévy at TEFAF Maastricht earlier this year has been acquired by the Art Institute of Chicago.

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Rietveld pieces boast provenance back to very beginning

25 August 2025

Two early furnishings by the Dutch designer and architect Gerrit Rietveld (1888-1964) beat their guides at Wright (27% buyer’s premium) in Chicago, Illinois. Both came with primary provenances.

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First print to show game of ‘goff’ emerges in New York auction

25 August 2025

A cherished piece of golf history came for sale at Carlsen Gallery (20% buyer’s premium) in Freehold, New York, and commanded a significant sum.

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European firms find Korea opportunity

25 August 2025

A selection of European galleries join the Masters section at Frieze Seoul as the fair returns for its fourth edition from September 3-6.

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Claret jug is toast of both Cincinnati and Stourbridge

25 August 2025

A claret jug combining the talents of Stevens & Williams of Stourbridge in the UK and US firm Duhme & Co from Cincinnati crushed its $2000-3000 guide to hammer for $35,000 (£25,890).

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French 17th century cabinet stands out as a favourite for a US specialist

25 August 2025

Auction house expert eulogises about a French 17th century piece of furniture ‘jewel for the eyes’

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Mainland Chinese buyers out in force for Virginia auction

25 August 2025

Buyers from mainland China propelled Asian lots at Quinn’s Auction Galleries (27% buyer’s premium) far beyond their guides at a recent sale in Falls Church, Virginia.

COIN 2

Exeter museum acquires Anglo Saxon coin with first mention of city's name

21 August 2025

An Anglo-Saxon silver penny with the first recorded use of the name ‘Exeter’ has been acquired by that city’s Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery.

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.

Nature Morte Aux Financiers by Lubin Baugin

Lost for 400 years, rediscovered still-life sets record for enigmatic French artist

18 August 2025

A rare and striking work by Lubin Baugin sets the highest price for the artist at auction

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.

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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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Gory sketch goes for more than a million euros at auction

18 August 2025

In 1830 the French government organised a competition for a painting to decorate the wall of the Chamber of Deputies’ Sessions Hall in the Palais Bourbon.

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Puisaye potters: Ceramicists from the Burgundy area take centre stage in a single-owner collection

18 August 2025

The second half of the 19th century was a key period in the European art pottery movement with much experimentation in glazing and design.

Sherbrooke, a painting by Tom Roberts

Four major Australian paintings to go under the hammer at Smith & Singer

13 August 2025

Works by Tom Roberts, Arthur Streeton, Grace Cossington Smith, and Howard Arkley to be offered for sale on August 19

Nature Morte Aux Financiers, a painting by Lubin Baugin

Rediscovered rare still-life by enigmatic French painter heads to auction

13 August 2025

The recently-found work by Lubin Baugin will be offered for sale at French auction house Vichy Enchères on August 16.

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Sizeable Guanyin figure generates large demand

11 August 2025

This unusually large giltwood figure of Guanyin, the Chinese goddess of compassion and mercy, attracted numerous bidders to Nagel’s (24.5% buyer’s premium) sale of Asian art on June 6-7 in Stuttgart.

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