Auctions

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


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Scottish connections count far south of the border

22 May 2026

A “fine”.470 calibre percussion long range target rifle by John Dickson & Co of Edinburgh offered at the April 7-8 Antony Cribb (25% buyer’s premium inc VAT) sale was boosted by an inscription from the City of Edinburgh & Midlothian Rifle Association.

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Soap dish? No, that’s actually a smoke hood

22 May 2026

ATG was interested to learn more about the two Kangxi (1662-1722) blue and white porcelain wall sconces and ‘soap dish’ sold by Mayfair firm Plakas (29% buyer’s premium) on March 19.

Bronze censer

Bid Barometer: issue 2745

22 May 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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Hallett harvest scene reaps a £5000 record result

22 May 2026

The artist Alfred W Hallett (1914-86) is mostly known for his portraits, landscapes and flower paintings made in India from 1938 onwards.

Books, maps and works on paper auctions, May 27 to June 17, 2026

22 May 2026

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

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Previews: issue 2745

22 May 2026

Our selection of lots from eight upcoming auctions

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From a collector obsessed by all things Tipu

22 May 2026

An Indian tulwar offered at JS Fine Art (26.4% buyer’s premium inc VAT) on March 27-30 came with the simple description: “A rare Indian Tulwar from Tipu Sultan’s armoury with a characteristic lion’s head pommel and guard (formerly in the private collection of Robin Wigington).”

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US buyers target British sporting guns

22 May 2026

Amid tariffs and Trump uncertainties, recent stories have concentrated on the difficulties of doing business with the US. However, the April 29 auction held by Gavin Gardiner (25% buyer’ premum) revealed all is not lost.

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John Nash trees grow to £10,500

22 May 2026

Among a good number of works by John Nash (1893-1977) commanding interest at the spring sales this year was a painting titled 'Gnarled Trees' which came to Ewbank’s (25% buyer’s premium) in Surrey.

2745FE MILI Harper Filed Volley Pistol

High quality from gunmaker to kings and a tsar

22 May 2026

This bizarre beast of a gun is a William Smith of London 80 bore flintlock quadruple-barrelled volley pistol.

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Angelic figures, fiery content

22 May 2026

The East Anglia sale at Reeman Dansie (25% buyer’s premium) in Colchester on April 8-9 featured a stump work bound book of sermons delivered by the prominent 17th century Puritan divine Samuel Ward (1577-1640).

Christie’s auctioneer Adrien Meyer

New York series boasts confidence as Jackson Pollock sails to record $157m

21 May 2026

The latest round of Modern and Contemporary art sales in New York showed the top-end of the market gaining momentum with a series of record prices for leading names in the sector.

Monster by Rabindranath Tagore

Monster price: Rabindranath Tagore watercolour flies to over 150 times estimate

21 May 2026

The unexpected highlight of the collection of Niall Hobhouse sold by Dreweatts on May 13 was a painting by the Indian polymath Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941).

William III silver chocolate pot

Price Reporter: Latest auction results including a chocolate pot formerly owned by Charlie Watts

21 May 2026

ATG's Price Reporter brings you a regularly updated selection of auction prices, keeping you on top of the latest market values

Harbour of Saint George, Grenada

Rare watercolour of Grenada flies to 15 times estimate

20 May 2026

The artist George Heriot (1759-1839) is perhaps best known for his landscapes of Canada and pictures of indigenous people.

A Steve Bloomer card by J Baines

Bloomer card scores at £24,000

19 May 2026

Collectable featuring Derby County and England football legend shoots way above estimate.

Louis Vuitton Explorer trunk

Louis Vuitton Explorer trunk sells to US buyer at West Sussex auction

19 May 2026

Toovey’s of West Sussex sold another zinc covered Louis Vuitton Explorer trunk on May 14 – the fourth the firm has handled in recent years.

The Buckland Caravan, Hampstead

Hampstead caravan painting is among five lots to watch

18 May 2026

With estimates from £400, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week

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Buyer gets a grip on exceptional Louis XV cane handle

15 May 2026

Among the highlights of the Fine Jewellery sale at Adam’s in Dublin on May 12 was this remarkable Louis XV hardstone, gold and gemset cane handle.

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Bidders battle it out for a marvellous Miklosch watch

15 May 2026

A seemingly never-ending bidding match ensued at Cortrie in Hamburg on May 9 for a tourbillon-watch by the German watchmaker Richard Miklosch (1939-2014) .

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