Auctions

News and previews of art and antiques sold at auctions throughout the UK and overseas, from multi-million-pound blockbusters to affordable collectables.


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.

img_13-2.jpg

Rare antique pram auction is among five sales to watch this week

28 July 2025

With estimates from £500, here are five previews of items coming up at auction

Most Read.jpg

Top stories this week including the sale of the first tranche of the Michael Baggott collection

27 July 2025

The most viewed stories on this website over the last week included news of Woolley & Wallis selling the first part of the late silver specialist Michael Baggott's collection

2705AR Tennants Tommy Cooper Robe

Magic robe worn by Tommy Cooper during his last performance now bought at auction by David Copperfield

25 July 2025

A robe worn by magician and comedian Tommy Cooper (1921-84) during the performance in which he which he suffered a heart attack and collapsed on stage has been sold at a North Yorkshire auction.

James Webb painting

View of the Louvre adds European flavour to south London sale

25 July 2025

Underlining the potential of artworks still to draw European interest in the post-Brexit market, a good number of pictures brought notable bidding from across the Channel at a recent Roseberys auction.

2704NEDI Dreweatts Loveday English Portrait

Loveday cricket collection pitches in with fascinating early depictions of the game

24 July 2025

After cricket fans have been enthralled by the exciting England vs India test series, bidding as well as batting and bowling will come into play at Newbury auction house Dreweatts.

Libertas Americana silver medal

Rare Libertas Americana silver medal sells at Newcastle auction

24 July 2025

A fine example of the Libertas Americana silver medal sold for £63,000 at Anderson & Garland’s Fine Silver and Objects of Vertu auction in Newcastle this week.

The Guennol Grasshopper

Guennol Grasshopper: Controversial Egyptian vessel comes to auction

24 July 2025

An ancient Egyptian cosmetic vessel made in the form of a grasshopper or cicada comes to auction in London this week.

Deer in a Woodland by Rosa Bonheur

Rosa Bonheur deer study makes 16 times estimate in Surrey auction

23 July 2025

French artist Rosa Bonheur (1822-1899) is described in the Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists as ‘a colourful and formidable character, outspoken in her feminine independence’.

Moon Jug by Ben Nicholson

Jerwood expands collection with Nicholson auction purchase

23 July 2025

Arts charity Jerwood Foundation has purchased another Ben Nicholson (1894-1982) artwork.

Robert Jobling's Grandfather’s Pride

Memories of the North: Robert Jobling pictures come to auction

21 July 2025

A group of works by Robert Jobling (1841-1923), a leading figure in the artistic circles of late 19th century Tyneside, has come to Newcastle saleroom Anderson & Garland.

img_67-3.jpg

William De Morgan red lustre charger is among five lots to watch

21 July 2025

With estimates from £200, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week

img_26-1.jpg

‘What am I bid for… my own lots?’ Toys sale includes Bunny Campione's bunnies

21 July 2025

Renowned consignor and Antiques Roadshow specialist invited up to the rostrum in Newbury

img_34-3.jpg

Quaker connections outlined in a fascinating collection sold at auction

21 July 2025

Manuscripts underline the overlapping lives of families in northern England and their extensive travels

img_20-5.jpg

Why Child & Child was the artist’s choice

21 July 2025

Walter Child (1840-1930) and Harold Child (1848-1915), the sons of an East End pawnbroker who left a fortune of £30,000, opened as art jewellers in 1880 at 1 Seville Street, Belgravia.

img_43-2.jpg

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.

Books and works on paper auction calendar, July 23 to August 19, 2025

21 July 2025

Our regular listing of UK and Irish books and works on paper sales

img_20-10.jpg

Elizabethan grasshopper ring jumps to £42,000

21 July 2025

A previously unrecorded Elizabethan gold and enamel signet ring, a gift from the influential Tudor financier and merchant, Sir Thomas Gresham (1519-79), sold for £42,000 at Noonans (24% buyer’s premium).

img_17-1.jpg

Dior brooch chimes again, this time at Birmingham auction

21 July 2025

Just a month after a rare Christian Dior (1905-57) musical brooch was sold Tajan in Paris, two more examples appeared for sale at Fellows’ (30% buyer’s premium inc VAT) Handbags & Accessories auction in Birmingham on June 24.

img_18-6.jpg

Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet flies to 14 times estimate

21 July 2025

A modestly estimated Van Cleef & Arpels, 18ct yellow gold gem set charm bracelet from c.1960 did particularly well for Dreweatts.

News

Categories