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.

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Go large for an exceptional Meiji vase

16 January 2026

A recent sale at Marion Antique Auctions (20% buyer’s premium) in Marion, Massachusetts included a large Meiji vase by Kanamori Soshichi (1821-92).

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Hunt for impressive Michael Angelo Hayes work ends in an auction record

16 January 2026

A notable Irish hunting painting that emerged at Fonsie Mealy (25% buyer’s premium including VAT) at the end of last year drew “very spirited bidding” according to the Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny saleroom.

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How Japanese lacquer moved into the modern era

16 January 2026

Working in Japanese urushi lacquer requires patience. Harvested from the sap of the Rhus verniciflua tree, it is built up slowly, layer by layer, each stage requiring careful drying and polishing under controlled conditions.

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Gallery hopes to reap rewards of cross-collecting

16 January 2026

Pairing old with new has become a familiar tactic in the art market.

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Devon harvest jug reaps reward across the Atlantic

16 January 2026

Dovecotes also cause a flutter in North Carolina as British pottery achieves strong prices

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Portrait attributed to Rubens to be unveiled at BRAFA

14 January 2026

A sketch believed to be the work of Flemish master Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640), and which contains a distinctive second face, is to be offered at BRAFA this month.

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Set of 12 Chinese export pictures portrays a production line of porcelain

09 January 2026

A set of 12 Chinese export pictures depicting the manufacture and distribution of porcelain was among the highlights of a recent sale held by Nadeau’s in Windsor, Connecticut.

Movers & Shakers

Auction house and dealer hires among the latest recruitment round up

09 January 2026

The latest Movers & Shakers in the UK and overseas

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Edgar Allan Poe captured in pioneering photo form

09 January 2026

As he died more than a decade before the medium really took off, very few photographs of the American author Edgar Allan Poe (1809-49) exist.

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Collectors steer towards a P&O boat tiller that probably served as a presentation piece

09 January 2026

A handsome 19th century brass boat tiller hammered for $15,000 (£11,235) at Zevantiques (25% buyer’s premium) in Hallandale, Florida.

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Indian art market on a roll

09 January 2026

Expect records to tumble in the market for Indian art and antiques in 2026.

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Early Christmas cards deliver festive cheer for a surprised vendor

09 January 2026

Prompted by the uniform penny post and the new printing process of chromolithography, the Victorian era was the heyday of the Christmas card.

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Five highlights at the upcoming BRAFA fair in Brussels

09 January 2026

The long-running BRAFA Art Fair in Brussels is traditionally one of the earliest events in the international art fair calendar.

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Munnings thinks outside the box to create an uncommon work

09 January 2026

Lurking among the equestrian portraits in a sale held by The Sporting Art Auction (17.5% buyer’s premium) was an atypical work by Sir Alfred Munnings (1878-1959).

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Bonhams’ new Big Apple HQ

09 January 2026

The opening date for Bonhams’ new US headquarters at 111 West 57th Street, New York, is February 9.

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René Lalique jewellery makes Cottone auction debut

09 January 2026

A recent sale marked the first time that the Geneseo, New York, house Cottone Auctions (22% buyer’s premium) has handled a piece of René Lalique (1860-1945) jewellery.

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Early example of Gallé in demand as Japonisme foo dog vase makes seven times estimate

09 January 2026

A Japonisme foo dog vase by Émile Gallé (1846-1904) hammered for $35,000 (£26,440) against a guide of $3000-5000 at Rago (27% buyer’s premium) in Lambertville, New Jersey.

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Japanese robot-driven car toy sells at $190,000

09 January 2026

“Very few things make me that excited. But this was a really exciting thing.” Tom Sage Jr’s faith was rewarded in September.

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Exhibitor notches up 55th year at New York show

09 January 2026

Several exhibitors at this month’s edition of The Winter Show in New York have more than 40 years’ experience exhibiting at the fair.

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Praying for a new auction record

09 January 2026

In February in New York, Sotheby’s will offer for sale one of the most important illustrated Hebrew Prayerbooks to come to market: The Rothschild Vienna Mahzor.

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