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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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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Something in the air tonight: Raynaud eroticism excites bidders

11 August 2025

A classic example of fin-de-siècle eroticism caught the eye of several collectors at Hampel (29.5% buyer’s premium) on June 26 in Munich.

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Sixteenth century padlock secured by buyer at five figures

11 August 2025

Among the bidders’ favourites at the sale of antiques on May 16-23 at Kinsky (30% buyer’s premium) in Vienna was a highly ornate, mid-16th century German or Austrian forged iron padlock with key.

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Russian imperial vase salutes crushing naval victory of Navarino

11 August 2025

Piece made by St Petersburg factory was produced to mark 1827 allied triumph over Ottoman forces

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Parrot prized by a princess now immortalised in micromosaic form

11 August 2025

According to tradition, supported by handwritten documents, this 19th century, gold-mounted micromosaic brooch was given by Prussian King Frederick William III to his second wife Auguste von Harrach, Princess of Liegnitz.

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Items of dress fit for an emperor adorn Vienna saleroom

11 August 2025

Even though the Austro-Hungarian monarchy was abolished in 1918, there is still no shortage of nostalgic buyers for memorabilia and relics from the House of Habsburg.

Haradin’s last wishes granted as toy soldier business is handed on to Morphy

11 August 2025

Morphy Auctions will take over Old Toy Soldier Auctions (OTSA) following the death of founder Ray Haradin.

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Turkestan textiles take high sums at German auction

11 August 2025

Textiles from the nomadic Tekke tribe of Turkestan were highly sought after at Rippon Boswell’s (25% buyer’s premium) May 31 auction in Wiesbaden.

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German tropical grandeur embodied in an elaborate pith helmet

11 August 2025

When the situation demanded it, German consular officials in the tropics were required to wear a ceremonial helmet.

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Louis XIV bronze cannons fire up a château sale

04 August 2025

French château contents sales, like their equivalent country house sales in the UK, still surface occasionally on the auction market.

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Chalençon collection: More than 100 Napoleon lots ride into auction action

04 August 2025

Pierre-Jean Chalençon is well known as an enthusiast for Napoleonic memorabilia and this summer Sotheby’s Paris (27/22/15% buyer’s premium) offered just over 100 lots from his collection.

Francesco Guardi

Global auction sales decline but better results for Old Masters and decorative arts

01 August 2025

The latest art market report by ArtTactic revealed that global auction sales at Christie’s, Sotheby’s and Phillips fell by 6.2% for the first half of 2025.

Piprahwa Gems

Historic Piprahwa gems return to India in private sale after planned Sotheby’s auction cancelled

31 July 2025

A collection of relics linked to the historical Buddha will now go on public display in India.

Portrait of James Stirling

Portrait of first governor of Western Australia reappears at Perth auction

31 July 2025

A dozen years after it was last sold in England, a portrait of Sir James Stirling (1791-1865), the first governor of Western Australia, returned to auction Down Under earlier this month.

Harry Potter books

Signed first edition run of seven Harry Potter books takes six-figure sum at US auction

29 July 2025

A group of seven first edition hardback copies of the Harry Potter books, all signed by author JK Rowling, were hammered down at $130,000/£97,500 (or $162,500 including premium) by Heritage Auctions.

Joshua Johnson portrait

Pair of paintings come to auction from first known black American professional portraitist

28 July 2025

A pair of portraits by Joshua Johnson (c.1763-c.1825), one of the earliest black professional painters in the United States, is coming to auction this summer.

Phillips auction house London

Phillips raises buyer’s premium – but reduces it for ‘early engagement’

23 July 2025

Auction house Phillips has introduced a new format for its buyer’s premium.

Madonna and Child by Antonio Solario

Stolen 16th century painting recovered in Norfolk returns to Italy

21 July 2025

A stolen painting of Madonna and Child by Antonio Solario (1465-1530) has been returned after more than 50 years.

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Miniature portrait of Egyptian scholar bid to 20 times estimate

21 July 2025

A watercolour portrait of the 19th century Egyptian scholar Mohammed-el-Chabassy was one of the surprising high points at a recent auction of 16th to 19th century drawings, held by Bassenge (25% buyer’s premium) in Berlin.

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Schlemmer estate opens up market after bitter legal dispute

21 July 2025

Descendents of Bauhaus artist finally reach settlement allowing first 22 works to come for sale in Cologne

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