Auctions

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


Mahogany table belonging to Margaret Thatcher

Steely demand as Margaret Thatcher's desk makes 60 times estimate

05 December 2024

Sloane Street Auctions’ sale saw 39 Thatcher-related lots sell for £330,000 in total including premium

The Virgin and Child enthroned by Sandro Botticelli

Botticelli Virgin and Child bid to £8.6m at Sotheby’s

05 December 2024

A painting known as ‘the Wantage Botticelli’ which emerged from a British aristocratic collection after 120 years drew a strong bidding battle at Sotheby’s latest Old Master evening sale in London.

van Dyck painting

Van Dyck horse portrait tops Christie’s Old Master sale

04 December 2024

An Anthony van Dyck (1599-1641) equine painting led Christie’s latest evening sale of Old Masters in London.

Eileen Mayo portrait by Dod Procter

Dod Procter portraits at the double indicate growing demand

04 December 2024

Over the last decade, portraits from the 1920s by Dod Procter (1891-1972) have become increasingly valuable.

Barbara Hepworth sculpture

Barbara Hepworth sculpture from ‘pivotal moment’ in her career blocked from export

03 December 2024

A unique sculpture by Dame Barbara Hepworth (1903-1975) has been blocked from export following its sale at Christie’s in London earlier this year.

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Celebrating a skilled Sèvres decorator as cup and saucer fly to 80 times estimate

02 December 2024

A cabinet cup and saucer decorated by perhaps the most skilled of all Sèvres painters was spotted for sale in Derbyshire.

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Pick of the Week: Bond girl Kissy is the main attraction in doll form

02 December 2024

It was overshadowed by the James Bond doll when it was released in 1966 and was granted a shorter production run, but the Kissy Suzuki doll from the film 'You Only Live Twice' was star of the show at C&T Auctioneers.

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Macintyre Moorcroft chalice is among five lots to watch

02 December 2024

With estimates from £1200, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week

John Lennon Vox Amp

New record for an amp as John Lennon’s Vox hits six figures

02 December 2024

John Lennon’s Vox amp became the most expensive ever item of its type when it fetched £151,200 including 25% buyer’s premium at Propstore.

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Art collection saved from the flames (twice) comes to auction

02 December 2024

More pieces appear from a collection that survived a couple of devastating blazes at the family home

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Seed testing took root with Sutton's as a pioneering firm

02 December 2024

In the 19th century Sutton's Seeds was leading the way in formulating policy for seed testing.

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Dish combines three different design talents

02 December 2024

This late 19th century silver mounted ceramic dish or coupe came up at the Belgian firm CR-Art Auctions (25% buyer’s premium) when it was bid to €7000 (£5835) against a guide of €2000-3000.

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‘My style is my signature’: Why Belperron felt her unsigned pieces were sufficiently distinctive

02 December 2024

The influential 20th century jewellery designer Suzanne Belperron (1900-83) had a wide-ranging clientele during her lifetime spanning royalty, artists and people from the worlds of fashion and entertainment.

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Bid Barometer: issue 2671

02 December 2024

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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Trippel oil can more than doubles the top estimate

02 December 2024

The latest sale of Petroliana at Richard Edmonds Auctions (12/20% buyer’s premium) in Chippenham included a super-rare English oil can.

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Advertising antiques: Cadbury's signs and many more in demand

02 December 2024

Following more than four decades of collecting, advertising signs such as Cadbury classics have entered the mainstream

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Treen unseen: the collector who bought on trust

02 December 2024

A “once-in-a-generation” collection of treen containing all manner of small turned objects, from a toasting dog to a decorated busk stay, was the major feature in a timed online sale of vernacular furniture, folk art and textiles at Bonhams Knightsbridge (28/27% buyer’s premium).

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Huge football collection kicks off in an auction series

02 December 2024

This month enthusiasts can get an auction taster of a sporting archive ranked as among the very best

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Prud’hon nude emerges with noble provenance

02 December 2024

A fine drawing by French Romantic painter and draughtsman Pierre Paul Prud’hon (1758-1823) sold for €190,000 (£158,300) at L’Huillier & Associés (30% buyer’s premium inc tax).

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Sizeable pick of Capiello posters in Paris

02 December 2024

A collection of just over 50 artworks for posters by the designer Leonetto Cappiello (1875-1942) enjoyed considerable success when they went under the hammer at Ader (25/20/15% buyer’s premium) in Paris.

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