UK

The United Kingdom accounts for more than one fifth of the global art market sales and is the second biggest art market after the US.

Through auctioneers, dealers, fairs and markets - and a burgeoning online sector - buyers, collectors and sellers of art and antiques can easily access a vibrant network of intermediaries and events around the country. The UK's museums also house a wealth of impressive collections

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Top stories this week including Red Dwarf star Chris Barrie selling his automobilia collection at auction

31 August 2025

The most viewed stories on this website over the last week included news of actor Chris Barrie consigning items to Charterhouse’s specialist automobilia sale

A letter written in 1958 by Alfred Wainwright

Rare Wainwright correspondence arrives at auction

30 August 2025

Letters to fellwalking pen pal to be sold in Cumbria

2607PV SGB Cairns Great Escape

London auction offers medals and flying gear of RAF hero who was part of Great Escape plot

29 August 2025

Stanley Gibbons Baldwin’s Medals and Militaria Auction on September 17 features a collection of items from Squadron Leader Peter Cairns, who took part in the Great Escape breakout plot during the Second World War.

Swarovski crystal animals

Swarovski critters that prompted a healthier lifestyle head to auction

29 August 2025

A crystal collection assembled over four decades will be offered at Potteries Auctions following the death of its 90-year-old owner in December.

Charles Haslewood Shannon portrait

Shannon portrait turns heads at Surrey auction

28 August 2025

Among the most eye-catching pictures that emerged at the summer auctions around the country were a couple of early 20th century portraits of young women.

Art Business Conference

The Art Business Conference is returning to London twice this autumn

28 August 2025

Art Market Minds, the organiser behind The Art Business Conference, has launched new events this year and its flagship event returns for its 11th edition.

Cricket at Sandleford Priory

Cricket picture market: a pitch with plenty of cracks

27 August 2025

The sticky wicket in terms of the market for cricketing pictures was in evidence this summer as Dreweatts (27% buyer’s premium) sold off a large group of works from the collection of the late Mark Loveday.

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Jersey museum successfully bids for top secret Second World War D-Day landing maps and Channel Islands liberation plan

26 August 2025

Four top secret Second World War documents are to go on public display at a Jersey museum after being sold at auction by Hansons.

Dover Castle by Henry Gastineau

Racing and romanticism: Two watercolours bringing demand at Lincolnshire auction

26 August 2025

Two works on paper caught bidders’ eyes at a sale at Stamford Auction Rooms (24% buyer’s premium) this summer.

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New saleroom at World Heritage Site in Derbyshire is backed by snooker star O’Sullivan

25 August 2025

A new auction house backed by snooker champion Ronnie O’Sullivan is to open in a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Derbyshire next month.

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Trade asked to look out for missing Lowry football match picture

25 August 2025

The art and antiques trade is being asked to look out for a Lowry painting that had been consigned to now collapsed gallery Trinity House Paintings.

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Cloak clasp taken as memento after Napoleon’s death creates a big buzz

25 August 2025

A gilt metal cloak clasp taken from the apartment of Napoleon Bonaparte after his death on St Helena in 1821 has sold at auction for £10,000.

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Royal mail that doesn’t need a stamp

25 August 2025

While modern communications would appear to have diminished the role of the King’s or Queen’s Messengers in the 21st century, the job and title remains.

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West Sussex saleroom issues its first call to arms auction

25 August 2025

Bellmans is holding its first Arms & Armour auction in Billingshurst on September 10.

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Thunderbirds original artwork is among four lots to watch

25 August 2025

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

The Lawes Resolutions of Women’s Rights

Copy of earliest book on laws relating to women emerges at Newcastle saleroom

25 August 2025

‘The Lawes Resolutions of Women’s Rights: or the Lawes Provision for Women’, attributed to the English lawyer Thomas Edgar and printed in 1632 by John More, is recognised as the earliest book in the English language to compile laws relating to women.

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Petersfield ticks the 20th century box for Cooper’s second edition in charge

25 August 2025

The enamel-faced Art Nouveau pewter clock shown here features on the stand of Morgan Strickland Fine Arts at the next Petersfield Antiques Fair, where it is offered for £2600.

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Obituary: Antiques dealer Terrence Bailey (1952-2025)

25 August 2025

It is with great sadness that we learn that Terrence Bailey has passed away.

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George II mirror measures up nicely to take £20,000 at auction

25 August 2025

This George II giltwood mirror in the Chippendale rococo taste c.1755 sold well over hopes for £20,000 at Moore Allen & Innocent (21% buyer’s premium).

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Live Aid programme signed by Sting, Phil Collins and Queen members marked ‘the greatest show on Earth’

25 August 2025

This year marks the 40th anniversary of one of the most extraordinary music concerts ever held: Live Aid.

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