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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Art Market: Cadell captures the Cassis light

29 January 2024

Scottish Colourist likened the French port to Iona – but with more time to paint given the weather

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Shades of Scottish life at Fine Art Society show

29 January 2024

Fine Art Society kicks off its in-person exhibition programme in Edinburgh with Fine Shadings: 250 Years of Painting in Scotland.

2626PV Edit Excalibur Jawa

Much sought-after Star Wars Jawa figure from 1978 takes £15,000 at auction

28 January 2024

One of the most coveted Star Wars figures is the Jawa figure by Palitoy with the original vinyl cape.

TSR January 26 Turpin Hats

White-gloves and a trilby hat for Dick Turpin sale

26 January 2024

Sworders enjoyed a white-glove sale and a £406,000 total for the personal collection of Maurice Turpin (1928-2005).

Prime Minister signatures

From Walpole to Sunak, a prime ministerial autograph collection comes to market

26 January 2024

A private collection comprising the signatures of every one of Britain’s Prime Ministers comes for sale at Chiswick Auctions this month.

Wolf mask

Rare Northwest coast shamanic mask prompts tribal gathering in Royston

25 January 2024

A 19th century Native American wolf mask, once used in religious ceremonies on the Northwest coast, emerged from the obscurity of a £50-100 estimate to bring £14,000 at auction in Hertfordshire.

New recruits

New faces at auction houses in the UK and overseas

25 January 2024

A new director at a West Sussex firm and expansion in Sheffield are among the latest Movers & Shakers across the world of art and antiques.

2628NEDI Dressed Fleas W&W CUTOUT ALL

Flea market? Flea circus? Fleas at auction this time, dressed for the occasion

24 January 2024

Mexican dressed fleas were made originally by nuns probably a way of subsidising the income of a convent

Alasdair Gray's Glasgow Triumph of Death

Major record for Alasdair Gray as apocalyptic canvas turns heads in Edinburgh auction

24 January 2024

A shot in the arm for the picture market of Alasdair Gray (1934-2019) came at the start of the year when one of his most momentous paintings emerged at auction and set a major record for the Scottish artist and writer.

House of Commons dispatch box

Betty Boothroyd’s dispatch box and brooch entice bidders at memorabilia auction

23 January 2024

Politics fans and admirers competed for items from the estate of Betty Boothroyd (1929-2023), the first female Speaker of the House of Commons.

Jaywick Noonans Morris Pic

Medal given to 'Taffy' after audacious Operation Jaywick mission to sink Japanese ships in the Second World War takes £120,000

23 January 2024

A medal awarded secretly following Operation Jaywick, one of the most daring raids of the Second World War, has sold for a hammer price of £120,000 in a London auction.

Coin hoard

Treasure finds hit new high as metal detecting continues to pay off

23 January 2024

More than 53,000 archaeological finds were recorded in the latest annual report, which included 1378 Treasure cases, the highest ever reported in a single year.

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A Scottish Wemyss Ware vase from a prolific collector is among five lots to watch

22 January 2024

With estimates from £300, here are five previews of items coming up this week.

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Lampshade highlights the work of Quentin Bell, the last of Bloomsbury

22 January 2024

A lampshade painted by Quentin Bell sold for a remarkable £4700 when Adam Partridge (20% buyer’s premium) dispersed the residual collection of Michael Evans in Macclesfield.

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Signed Fab Four photos are big hits with bidders

22 January 2024

A c.1964 publicity photograph signed by all four members of The Beatles sold for £13,000 at Bristol auction house Auctioneum (21% buyer’s premium).

Kenneth Armitage sculpture

Plea to trace Kenneth Armitage sculpture stolen from Sloane Street Auctions

22 January 2024

A sculpture due to be offered at Sloane Street Auctions has been stolen from its gallery.

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Donald Duck butts in thanks to ‘Walt Disney’ greeting

22 January 2024

The Doll & Bears Sale at Vectis (20.83% buyer’s premium) in Stockton-on-Tees included this rare Disney Donald Duck from the 1930s.

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The 70s to 90s: ‘People are buying their childhoods back’

22 January 2024

The appeal of more modern toys for the latest collectors buying based on nostalgia for childhood playthings was underlined by a large group of Transformers offered at Special Auction Services on January 17.

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Hanley out of the mist at Portland Gallery show

22 January 2024

'Misty Landscape' (1987) is a characteristic work by British artist Liam Hanley (1933-2019) and one of the highlights in his retrospective at Portland Gallery next month.

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Haddon powers on with 60 dealers booked for Essex event

22 January 2024

For Emma and Steve Cooper of Haddon Events, their calendar is a whirlwind of events in Essex, Hertfordshire and Greater London including antiques and vintage fairs, vintage fashion fairs, classic car and country shows and a community street event.

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