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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Black Prince with lions and ostriches

12 February 2024

Estimated at £14,000-18,000, this Pavillon d'Or issued by Edward, Prince of Aquitaine (1362-72), took £36,000 plus 18% buyer’s premium at Harmers on November 1.

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Banknotes from coronation year

12 February 2024

Spink’s April 13 banknotes sale included a near-complete run of Malaya & British Borneo Elizabeth II specimen notes issued in the coronation year on March 21, 1953.

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Early Queen Anne before Acts of Union

12 February 2024

The 1705 silver crown is one of the key rarities in the Queen Anne (1702-14) series.

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West Country painter Michael Morgan's work offered en masse for first time

12 February 2024

Core group of 14 works by the artist on offer could represent significant moment in secondary market

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Fantasy mag key to creating Games Workshop empire

12 February 2024

Once considered to be the refuge of geeky teenagers, fantasy and sci-fi role playing and tabletop gaming is now hugely popular, with various celebs keen to proclaim their passion for all things orc and elf.

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God bless American buyers: Battersea decorative fair benefits from Stateside decorators visiting

12 February 2024

A fortuitously timed trip from a large group of top US interior decorators boosted sales at Battersea’s winter Decorative Fair.

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Gallantry top-seller: Crimean War naval VC

12 February 2024

The best-selling gallantry medal of 2023 was offered at Noonans late in the year on December 6. The Naval Victoria Cross awarded to Seaman James Gorman at the Battle of Inkerman sold for a hammer price of £320,000 (plus 24% buyer’s premium) and now forms part of a private collection of Crimean War medals.

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Argentina starts to emerge in coins market

12 February 2024

Prior to its unification, what is now Argentina was comprised of over a dozen autonomous and semi-autonomous regions.

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Masterpiece of Greek numismatic art

12 February 2024

One of the great masterpieces of ancient Greek numismatic art, this silver tetradrachm was struck in c.460BC in commemoration of the refounding of the city of Naxos. Its citizens had been exiled to Leontinoi by the tyrant Hieron of Syracuse.

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Classic Ashbee piano comes with fine provenance

12 February 2024

Heading Sworders’ (25% buyer’s premium) January 16 Design sale in Stansted Mountfitchet was a recently rediscovered version of one of the best-known Guild of Handicraft designs.

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Slave trader who repented his sins tells his own story

12 February 2024

John Newton (1725-1807) is today perhaps best remembered as the writer of the hymn Amazing Grace. However, before his religious conversion he spent his early life as a slave trader.

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Major collecting fest on the cards

12 February 2024

Picture-postcard collecting became a craze in Edwardian times and in the 21st century many of us are delighted collectors of these ‘windows on the world’.

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The Iraqi note now worth £100,000

12 February 2024

This Iraq specimen banknote printed in India during the Second World War sold for £100,000 plus 24% buyer’s premium at Noonans on November 29-30. It was purchased by a lifetime collector or Iraqi banknotes at double the low estimate.

Welsh love spoon

Love is in the air: St Valentine’s Day related items with dealers and at auction

12 February 2024

With catalogues titled Love Lust & Lechery and a tour called Love Motifs & Symbols, there is something for everyone among this selection of items for sale ahead of St Valentine’s Day this week.

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LARTA exhibitors report strong sales and new buyers

12 February 2024

Nestled above The Decorative Fair, the London Antique Rug & Textile Art Fair (LARTA) had a successful run with new and returning exhibitors reporting strong sales to trade and private buyers.

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Serpent study by De Morgan slithers into view

12 February 2024

Among the images included in Emanuel von Baeyer’s latest catalogue is a study of a female nude by Evelyn De Morgan (1855-1919).

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Bible bidders spot a King James sleeper

12 February 2024

An ‘18th century’ bible turned out to be far more valuable as a first issue King James “He” version

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Coins & medals: Stable currency but market is far from static

12 February 2024

Total sales across London coin and medals auctions were £61.6m in 2023, just a fraction down on 2022’s record aggregate

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Broken die ensures token’s rarity

12 February 2024

Daniel Eccleston, a retired well-to-do West Indian and American merchant based in Queen Street, Lancaster, planned to issue this halfpenny token in 1794.

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Comprehensive East India Company collection

12 February 2024

A remarkable Canadian single-owner collection of coins of the East India Company was offered by Noonans on February 8-9, 2023.

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