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.

The Cornfield by John Constable

Texas museum’s Constable ‘copy’ now revealed as an autograph work ahead of auction

12 March 2026

A previously unknown study for The Cornfield by John Constable is being offered by Heritage Auctions in June.

Clare McAndrew

Global art market returns to growth but sales remain below 2022 peak

12 March 2026

The art market grew 4% in 2025 with an estimated $59.6bn of global sales. The rise follows two consecutive years of declining values.

TEFAF Maastricht 2025

Belgian railway strikes mean travellers plan alternative routes for TEFAF Maastricht preview

11 March 2026

Transport strikes in Belgium are causing difficulties for some travellers trying to make it to the opening preview of TEFAF Maastricht this year.

Christie's CEO Bonnie Brennan

Chippendale out, Ive in – Christie’s unveils new rostrum design

10 March 2026

Christie’s has replaced its traditional Chippendale-style rostrums with a new version designed by Sir Jony Ive and made by furniture maker Benchmark.

Goblet

Rare Dutch glass goblet sails in to take €50,000

06 March 2026

Rediscovered during a routine valuation, a wheel-engraved glass goblet by master engraver Jacob Sang (1720-86) has sold at auction in the Netherlands.

Flower by James Bateman

Forum Auctions to sell last stock from Dutch dealership

06 March 2026

With the recent retirement of Allard Schierenberg and Jeanne van Bruggen, the remaining stock of Dutch dealership Antiquariaat Junk will be sold at auction.

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Polish painter Buchbinder goes for gold in Frankfurt

06 March 2026

Prices for the 19th century Polish genre painter Simeon (Szymon) Buchbinder moved to a new level at a sale at Blank (22% buyer’s premium) in Bad Vilbel, near Frankfurt.

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Bulky bronze bovine brings in a beefy six-figure sum

06 March 2026

Although he produced numerous bronze figures for public monuments and decorative elements for religious building, the German sculptor Ewald Mataré (1887-1965) is best known for his numerous figures of cows in a multitude of styles from realistic to cubistic.

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A rare Vizagapatam visitor stars in German auction

06 March 2026

It has been some years since a good piece of Vizagapatam furniture turned up at a German auction, so it was quite an event when Bieberle (21.42% buyer’s premium) in Magdeburg offered a writing cabinet.

Märklin carousel

Märklin carousels are money-spinners at German auction

06 March 2026

While two early Märklin carousels went round and round, the bids at Hohenstaufen (24.5% buyer’s premium) in Göppingen went up and up.

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New record set for sculptor Georg Kolbe at Berlin auction

06 March 2026

Stehende Frau (Standing Woman) by Georg Kolbe soared to a new record at Grisebach (32% buyer’s premium) in Berlin.

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Austrian artistry in the spotlight at auction

06 March 2026

Vienna sale includes sought-after works by local creative talents Moser, Hoffmann and Marenzeller

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Art Nouveau vase by Henri Bergé for Daum blossomed at German sale

06 March 2026

From 1897, when he joined Daum in Nancy, until his death in 1937, Henri Bergé was one of the leading designers at the firm.

The team from Wilson's Yard

Architectural salvage dealer plans retirement auction

03 March 2026

Salvage dealer Wilson’s Yard in Dromore, County Down is closing and selling its remaining stock with Cavan auction house Victor Mee Auctions.

Olympic medal

Winner’s medal from first Olympic Games in Athens takes six-figure sum at auction

02 March 2026

A winner’s medal from the first Olympic Games which took place in Athens in 1896 took a hammer price of £105,730 (or £135,334 including buyer’s premium), three-times its estimate.

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Trump tariffs ‘have slashed UK antiques exports to the US’, says BADA

27 February 2026

The value of exports of antiques from Britain to the US may have fallen by as much as 49% since US President Donald Trump began his tariff announcements in April 2025.

Dutch genre painting

Painting showing archduke's gallery visit now attributed to Antwerp artist after research

27 February 2026

After receiving a photograph of this 17th century Dutch genre painting, Lille auctioneer Hugues Watine contacted Old Master specialist Cabinet Turquin.

Salon Du Dessin 2024 044

Salon du Dessin seeks new drawing collectors

27 February 2026

The Salon du Dessin, France’s annual fair devoted to drawings and works on paper, is an event which regularly brings an international influx of drawing afficionados to the French capital.

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Gentileschi’s Mary Magdalene in Ecstasy acquired by American gallery

27 February 2026

Coinciding with the latest Old Master auction series in New York, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, announced the acquisition of Artemisia Gentileschi’s Mary Magdalene in Ecstasy.

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Bidding battle for battered teaching book shows rising demand for social artefacts

27 February 2026

Pristine first editions from sought-after authors or documents written by the luminaries of times past are usually the ones that command the greatest attention at book auctions.

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