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

Soldier Bear

‘Soldier Bear’ provided comfort for Pte Loveland

01 December 2025

Probably given to Private William George Loveland by his wife, this ‘Soldier Bear’ was taken to France and back during the First World War.

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'Gillows' partners’ library table among five lots to watch

01 December 2025

With estimates from £250, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week

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Collector who banged the drum for mustard pots

01 December 2025

‘Drum’ form mustard pots – known at the time as mustard tankards or cans – first emerged in the second half of the 18th century as the fashion changed from dry to wet mustard.

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Hempel’s Dresden sauceboats once served to please at court

01 December 2025

This pair of mid-18th century Dresden sauceboats were once part of the huge holdings of silver used at the court of Frederick Augustus II (1733-63).

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Ashbee and Knox mix the old and modern

01 December 2025

Charles Robert Ashbee’s pseudo medieval wirework silver and glass jugs and bottles rank among the Guild of Handicraft’s finest work.

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Two exhibitions and charity delivery for very busy gallery

01 December 2025

Gray MCA has a couple of busy months in store. From January, the fashion illustration, design and textiles gallery stages Drawing on Style: Original Fashion Illustration at Edinburgh’s Dovecot Studios.

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Vendor tastes sweet success with early Maltese sugar bowl

01 December 2025

Although Malta supported an estimated 600 makers from 1680-1820, relatively little silver from the period survived on the island.

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Bidders on the scent of a segmented pomander

01 December 2025

The term pomander derives from the French pomme d’ambre, meaning ‘apple of amber’, a reference to the aromatic substances – ambergris, musk, civet, and spices – once formed into small balls and carried as protection against disease.

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Joyce chalices give cause to rejoice in a North Yorkshire sale

01 December 2025

Richard Joyce, a member of one of the Tribes of Galway (the 14 merchant families who dominated the political, commercial and social life of the city), led an extraordinary life.

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Glass galore as Cotswolds dealership hosts Christmas show

01 December 2025

A green wineglass in the Prince of Wales service pattern is among the highlights in the Delomosne Christmas exhibition this year.

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Strawberry dish goes solo to sell for £7000 hammer less than a month later

01 December 2025

Although termed strawberry dishes, the classic early Georgian plain serving dish with raised fluted sides and a scalloped rim, were used for a variety of purposes.

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‘Extraordinary window into events that shaped the early 20th century’

01 December 2025

Four lots once belonging to British army officer, author and artist – and fascist sympathiser – Lieutenant-Colonel Graham Seton Hutchison (1890-1946) went under the hammer at Special Auction Services (20% buyer’s premium) in Newbury.

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The CRW work once owned by HG

01 December 2025

Thames view by Modern British artist Nevinson was acquired by another leading early 20th century figure

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Story time: How silver items with a strong narrative can survive being sent for scrap

01 December 2025

Sustained scrap silver prices of more than £30 an ounce have sent large quantities of middle-of-the-road Georgian and Victorian domestic silver to the melting pot. Today, to sell well above the bullion price, it helps if silver comes with a strong narrative. ATG reports on a few great storytellers.

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Gale warnings and sale earnings: Graham Stewart contemporary styles

01 December 2025

Scottish contemporary silver by Graham Leishman Stewart (1955-2020), squirreled away for decades in private collections, is now slowly beginning to reach the secondary market.

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Huguenot talent turned up in Ireland and thrived making silver

01 December 2025

Irish silver pocket corkscrews from the Georgian period are not common.

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Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh mysticism makes an impact on bidders

01 December 2025

Shakespearean themed watercolour takes hammer price of £75,000 as confirmation of the artist’s status

A cigarette card featuring Bobby Charlton

US buyer snaps up rare Bobby Charlton card for £17,200

28 November 2025

Bidding war erupts over what auction house describes as “the rarest Bobby Charlton card in the hobby”.

Cypriot jug

Pre-Christian Cypriot jug returns to Cyprus after government intervenes ahead of auction

28 November 2025

A jug dating to 750BC and due to be auctioned at Cotswold Auction Company in Cirencester will now be returning to Cyprus.

Money Laundering Directive

HMRC increases anti-money laundering fees

28 November 2025

HMRC will increase the fees for anti-money laundering (AML) supervision.

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