Auctions

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


Rissoles for the Marines by Elsie Gledstanes

Pictures emerge from attic to serve up a wartime treat

24 February 2026

Two pictures by Elsie Gledstanes (1891-1982) that were found untouched in an attic after 40 years drew notable competition at an auction in Hampshire this month.

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Stanley Webb Davies dressing table is among five lots to watch

23 February 2026

With estimates from £300, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week

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Dresser to impress: chairs take £56,000

20 February 2026

This pair of Aesthetic Movement ebonised and gilt salon chairs designed by Christopher Dresser (1834-1904) sold for £56,000 at Gildings in Market Harborough, Leicestershire, on February 17.

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Padamsee prime period work comes for sale

20 February 2026

A newly discovered prime period work by Indian Modernist Akbar Padamsee (1928-2020) comes for sale at Roland Auctions in New York state on March 28.

Olympic medal

Winner’s medal from first Olympic games comes to auction

20 February 2026

A winner’s medal from the first modern Olympic Games will be offered at Bruun Rasmussen in Denmark next month.

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Harry Davis designs for Royal Worcester bear up well at auctions

20 February 2026

Of all the many subjects painted by Harry Davis (1885-1970) during his long and celebrated tenure at the Royal Worcester factory, among the rarest and most desirable are polar bears in an Arctic landscape.

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Now it’s the 1973 Ashbourne Royal Shrovetide Football coming into play...

20 February 2026

In the last ATG (No 2731) we featured an Ashbourne Royal Shrovetide Football sold on January 22 at Truro Auction Centre for £4200 and mentioned others sold at Hansons in 2022.

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Bid Barometer: issue 2732

20 February 2026

ATG’s pick of auction lots bought by internet bidders on thesaleroom.com, featuring both the highest prices over-estimate and the top prices paid online.

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Previews: issue 2732

20 February 2026

Our selection of lots from 10 upcoming auctions

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Ceramic Highlander was made in the Lowlands

20 February 2026

From the 1770s Portobello was one of the main centres of industrial ceramic production in Scotland.

Books and works on paper auction calendar, February 24 to March 4, 2026

20 February 2026

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

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West London sale provides a showcase of 19th century art style and subject

20 February 2026

A handful of Continental pictures representing different strands of 19th century art, including Romantic, Realist, academic and Grand Tour traditions, were among the highlights at Chiswick Auctions’ (26% buyer’s premium) latest sale of Old Masters and 19th century art.

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Quality tea caddies and sugar box rise above a scrap value rating

20 February 2026

So much silver has sold based solely on melt value of late. One wonders exactly how many decent antiques and collectables will have been lost once the bubble has deflated.

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My search to identify a mystery Staffordshire figure

20 February 2026

Collector’s diligence and resolve pay off as he tracks down the crucial evidence

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Gold medal winning performances in the regions

20 February 2026

Spotlight on awards that brought rewards for vendors in three separate sales

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Big Top brings big prices: circus memorabilia posters put in a super performance

20 February 2026

Judging by recent auctions, once live acts in the circus are now thrilling eager collectors via memorabilia.

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‘Mum went out to buy a coat but got a Lambeth delft candlestick instead’

20 February 2026

Dealer from a Cotswolds family business acquired English tin glazed earthenware as a personal interest

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First Discworld book works its magic in Lincolnshire

20 February 2026

Book dealers and auction houses are all saying the same thing about fantasy and sci-fi novels: once derided as not serious objects of desire, they are now eagerly sought after by collectors and achieving really big prices.

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A collector not short of interests, from autograph hunting to wrestling and speedway

20 February 2026

John Short, a well-known collector in the Bristol area, amassed over 50,000 autographs in his lifetime. He began obtaining signatures at stage doors in the 1960s right up until his death in 2022.

The Jungle Book watercolour by Edward Detmold

‘Lost’ Jungle Book watercolours head to south London auction

20 February 2026

Emerging unrecognised from a London home, two ‘lost’ illustrations from a celebrated edition of Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book will be offered at Roseberys next month.

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