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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Top stories this week including a drawing from Leonardo’s studio making five times estimate

11 May 2025

The most viewed stories on this website over the last week included news of the auction of a Salvator Mundi drawing attributed to an artist from Leonardo da Vinci's workshop.

William Nicholson portrait

William Nicholson’s portrait of his daughter triples its estimate

09 May 2025

Despite ongoing concerns that the current economic uncertainty, anaemic growth and trade tariffs is affecting the supply of major lots, the value to auction houses of paintings by ‘big names’ was underlined at Lyon &Turnbull’s latest Modern Made auction.

Ganpatrao Mhatre gouache

Indian sculptor’s earliest known work on paper turns heads at Chiswick Auctions

09 May 2025

The earliest known painted work by the Indian sculptor Ganpatrao Mhatre (1879-1947) drew international interest at a recent sale at Chiswick Auctions (26% buyer’s premium).

Battle of Flodden

Battle of Flodden sword makes 30 times estimate in Nottingham

08 May 2025

A Scottish dirk believed to have been used at the Battle of Flodden recently surfaced at Arthur Johnson & Sons in Nottingham.

Canaletto Venice Ascension Day

Canaletto once owned by Robert Walpole headlines Christie’s Old Master sale

08 May 2025

One of Canaletto’s ‘prime-period’ views of Venice which once hung in 10 Downing Street has emerged at Christie’s.

Suffragettes

Autographs of early 20th century political and cultural figures emerge at Chiswick Auctions

07 May 2025

An autograph album containing the signatures of notable figures from the early 20th century is to appear at Chiswick Auctions in a timed sale ending May 18.

Piprahwa Gems

Sotheby’s halts sale of Piprahwa Gems after protest from Indian government

07 May 2025

Following opposition from the Indian state, Sotheby's took the 11th hour decision to cancel a Hong Kong auction of a collection of relics linked to the historical Buddha.

The Wife by Tirzah Garwood

Rediscovered Tirzah Garwood prints and drawings emerge at Cheffins

07 May 2025

The largest group of works by Tirzah Garwood (1908-51) to ever come on the open market in one go will be offered at Cheffins later this month.

Indian Mutiny Journal And Letter

Hand-written account of Indian Mutiny makes six times estimate

06 May 2025

A handwritten first-hand account of the Indian Mutiny contained in a journal kept from April 1857 to March 1858 hammered down at six times its £600-800 estimate to achieve £5200 at Reeman Dansie in Colchester on May 1.

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Brave RAF Lancaster bomber pilot flew nine times in the 'Battle of Berlin'

05 May 2025

Noonans’ Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria sale on April 9 included a rare group of medals awarded to Lancaster Bomber pilot, Warrant Officer, later Flight Lieutenant, Edward Sydney Ellis of 625 Squadron of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

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Shipshape teapot: Wedgwood commemorative surfaces in the saleroom

05 May 2025

This Wedgwood creamware tea or punch pot commemorating the launch of a gun ship at Deptford in 1784 was among 29 lots from the collection of The Worshipful Company of Shipwrights sold by specialist Charles Miller.

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Print shows British delight at American woes

05 May 2025

The etching 'A View in America in 1778' is a satire on the progress of the American Revolution.

St Paul's After The Blitz

View of St Paul's after The Blitz is among five lots to watch

05 May 2025

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

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Cricketer Ranji rare gold Great War medal hits five figures

05 May 2025

The British War Medal 1914-20 is not exactly uncommon. Issued in the First World War, about 6.5 million were struck in silver and 110,000 in bronze.

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Trafalgar combination counts as family medals group takes £19,000

05 May 2025

Four medals awarded to members of the Robertson family included one to a Battle of Trafalgar veteran.

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Trompe l’oeil painting reveals hint of a Medici connection

05 May 2025

Painting of a cabinet includes letter fixed to the door with possible mention of Grand Duke Cosimo III

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Need ointment for your ‘emrods’? Why early remedy books help in the modern day

05 May 2025

With crossover interest to several collecting disciplines, early manuscript recipe and remedy books continue to thrive at auction.

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Vases demonstrate changing styles of Berlin porcelain

05 May 2025

The evolution of Berlin porcelain – produced by Royal Porcelain Factory founded in 1763 by King Frederick II of Prussia – was well illustrated by two vases which both went way over the estimates in recent sales.

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Duke of Wellington’s plumage causes a flutter in the saleroom

05 May 2025

A case containing plumes from the Duke of Wellington’s hat was central to a lot offered by Hannams (25% buyer’s premium) in Hampshire on March 11.

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Barn find: a £40,000 jardinière

05 May 2025

Consigned from a private collection in Oxfordshire, a Wanli (1572-1620) mark and period blue and white jardinière sold for £40,000 at Chorley’s (25% buyer’s premium).

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