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

Margaret Melody

'Something for everyone': Buxton fair celebrates 59 years

07 May 2025

Derbyshire event attracts visitors not just from the Peak District but Cheshire, the Midlands, Nottinghamshire and south Yorkshire

The Virgin and Child altarpiece

National Gallery buys ‘mystery’ altarpiece in £16.4m deal brokered by Sotheby’s

06 May 2025

The National Gallery in London has acquired two Old Masters, one of which is a remarkable 16th-century altarpiece bought for £16.4m in a private treaty sale brokered by Sotheby’s.

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.

Ben Cooper

Young collector finds silver lining at Petersfield Fair

06 May 2025

The Petersfield Antiques Fair can lay claim to attracting the hard-to-target youth demographic.

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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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Five questions with book dealer Tom W Ayling

05 May 2025

Tom W Ayling is an antiquarian bookseller dealing in rare books and manuscripts.

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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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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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Latest glass extravaganza graces West Midlands venue

05 May 2025

Glittering displays of glass will be on show at the upcoming Premier Fairs’ dedicated event at Himley Hall near Dudley in the West Midlands on Sunday, May 18.

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James Gandy’s masterpiece sells in Cumbria auction

05 May 2025

A well-documented George II astronomical walnut longcase made by James Gandy of Cockermouth was the highlight of a recent sale at Mitchells’ (22% buyer’s premium) in Cumbria.

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15th century carving from dealers' collection bid to eight times estimate

05 May 2025

The Age of Oak sale at Woolley & Wallis (26% buyer’s premium) on April 9 was built around the collection formed by antiques dealers Bruce and Margaret Howard.

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Seton was championed by Scottish clients in Calcutta

05 May 2025

The top price of the recent sale of the Philip Astley-Jones collection came for a portrait with a strong Indian connection.

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RAF relics on display in Cornish theme park reflect courage of one of ‘The Few’

05 May 2025

An RAF uniform, log book and medals that belonged to one of ‘The Few’ was a highlight when Cornish saleroom Lay’s (21% buyer’s premium) dispersed the contents of Flambards theme park.

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Education, education, education at Fellows

05 May 2025

The Jewellery department at Fellows Auctioneers in Birmingham is celebrating three new qualifications for its team.

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