Auctions

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


Francis Crick diaries

DNA pioneer Francis Crick’s diaries emerge at Essex auction

26 September 2025

Diaries written by Francis Crick (1916-2004), the English molecular biologist who played a crucial role in deciphering the helical structure of the DNA molecule, come for sale at Essex firm Sworders this autumn.

Stanley Royle painting

Price Reporter: Latest auction results including a Stanley Royle country scene

26 September 2025

ATG Price Reporter brings you a regularly updated selection of latest auction prices keeping you up to date with market values.

John Bull taking a luncheon by James Gillray

How posthumous copies of Gillray prints have a history of their own

25 September 2025

The story of James Gillray’s (1757-1815) print plates is something of a mixture of comedy and tragedy – not unlike the great caricaturist’s life itself.

Dunhill aquarium lighter

Special commission: Dunhill lighter showing 50-1 Ascot winner sells at David Duggleby

24 September 2025

A specially commissioned Dunhill 'aquarium' table lighter marking the victory of an unfancied horse at Ascot sold for £12,500 at auction in Scarborough.

William Hedges painting

Rare views by elusive artist William Hedges bring bidders at London sale

24 September 2025

Demand for rare topographical pictures remains an area of strength in the art market.

Tahitian Studies

Rediscovered Gauguin drawing is among six lots to watch

23 September 2025

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

Carlton Ware

Pick of the week: Sensational bidding for Carlton Ware ceramics in the Scottish Borders

22 September 2025

One of the strongest sums for Carlton Ware in recent times has been set in the Scottish Borders.

The Kiss II woodcut by Edvard Munch

Remarkable family collection takes Munch prints prices to an unprecedented level

22 September 2025

Galerie Kornfeld in Bern devoted the evening session at its auction on September 11 to a remarkable collection of prints by the Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. It was rewarded by some equally remarkable prices.

Aethelstan I of East Anglia silver penny

Anglo-Saxon discoveries on their way to Coinex

22 September 2025

Spink’s Official Coinex auction on September 30 to October 1 features two significant discoveries from the Anglo-Saxon period.

Flowers in a Jar by Duncan Grant and George Bergen

Charleston buys collaborative Bloomsbury Group painting at Gorringe’s

22 September 2025

A rare collaborative work by Duncan Grant (1885-1978) and his lover, the Russian-American artist George Bergen (1903-84), has sold at auction to Charleston, the East Sussex farmhouse where the painting was created.

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South America fascinated artist Rugendas, not Grand Tours of Italy

22 September 2025

At a time when many of his painter colleagues were drawn to Italy for their artistic inspiration, Johann Moritz Rugendas, who was born in Augsburg in 1802, headed for more distant lands.

Gold and gem-set evening bag

Bid Barometer: issue 2711

22 September 2025

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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White gloves for the Tony Martin collection

22 September 2025

Stock and private collection of Cornwall dealer brings the crowds back to Plymouth

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Wainwright memorabilia keeps hitting the heights

22 September 2025

A rare collection of personal correspondence from fell walker, author and illustrator Alfred Wainwright (1907-91) walked away to a new owner in a timed online sale that ended on September 7.

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Rosenthal rides in with an ostrich

22 September 2025

Having produced tableware for over 25 years, the Bavarian porcelain manufacturer Rosenthal established an artistic department in 1908.

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Bauhaus chess set brings pieces down to an abstract form

22 September 2025

When Martin Gropius, the founder of the Bauhaus design school, set out the prerequisites for its products, he reduced it to the formulas ‘practical, enduring, affordable, beautiful’, and ‘form follows function’.

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Fossils fuelled religious doubts among naturalists

22 September 2025

Naturalist but creationist Agassiz produced a monumental work on ancient species of fish

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Previews: issue 2711

22 September 2025

Our selection of stand-out lots from 10 upcoming auctions

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Looe customs in the 18th century

22 September 2025

Back in July 2008 a rare Bristol delftware plate surfaced for sale. Decorated in the bianco sopra bianco style, it featured a bold image of a man on horseback and was inscribed 'A. Bosavern, Looe 1763'.

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Helped to escape by nurse Cavell

22 September 2025

Halls’ (24% buyer’s premium) Militaria, Naval and Aviation Auction included a medal group with an intriguing link to a famous figure of the First World War, British nurse Edith Cavell.

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