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

The Nativity

Ulster Museum acquires 16th century Nativity scene

05 January 2023

An Italian Nativity scene has been saved for the nation after it was blocked from export by the government.

Hampstead Antique & Craft Emporium

Protest planned at Hampstead Antique Emporium ahead of closure

04 January 2023

A group of traders at Hampstead Antique & Craft Emporium have organised a protest on the last day before it closes.

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Dunhill ‘Aviary’ lighter sparks a bidding battle at Chiswick Auctions

02 January 2023

An auction record was set for an Alfred Dunhill ‘aquarium’ lighter at Chiswick Auctions.

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UK dealers star in TEFAF Showcase spot

02 January 2023

UK dealers Elliott Fine Art, Callisto Fine Arts, Ben Hunter and Willoughby Gerrish are among the chosen new galleries to exhibit at TEFAF Maastricht’s Showcase this year.

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Herschel museum buys manuscript memoir

02 January 2023

Two Herschel family-related historic items – a Royal Society King’s medal and a manuscript memoir – have changed hands at auction and in a private sale.

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The web shop window: A Victorian prisoners' ‘pillow’

02 January 2023

Thousands of items are available to buy from dealers online. Here we pick out one that caught our eye this week.

Fresh events for ACVR

02 January 2023

Jackie Edwards of ACVR Events has added yet more brocantes and vintage street markets to the nine she already runs across southern England which start up again in March.

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Rothschild Qing cache packed away but now seeing the light of sale day

02 January 2023

A major draw to a recent Dreweatts’ (25% buyer’s premium) sale of Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art was a cache of Qing porcelain and hardstone carvings previously owned by Anthony de Rothschild (1887-1961).

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Sitter appeal: Portraits from Victorian sportsman to 20th century businessman bring demand

02 January 2023

The record-setting piece of Beswick pottery at a recent sale at Potteries Auctions (20% buyer’s premium) – a rare variant of a shire horse model that fetched £11,300 (ATG No 2569) – was not the only lot bringing notable demand.

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Services surface from a country house

02 January 2023

Dreweatts’ (25% buyer’s premium) ‘part II’ sale of Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art at the end of last year included Chinese export porcelain from ‘the china store of a Somerset country house’.

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Folk and drama prints proved popular with urban audiences

02 January 2023

By illustrating and combining popular folk songs with scenes of dramas of the time, the artist or workshop named Ding Liangxian created a new type of woodblock print for urban Chinese audiences in the second quarter of the 18th century.

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Ceri Richards shows his personal side

02 January 2023

Despite a few surprises among the lots at Rogers Jones’ (24% buyer’s premium) third and final Welsh Sale of 2022, the solid performance of at least one of the leading pictures was probably more expected.

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Bizet and Caxton in the mix

02 January 2023

Highlights including signed opera score from a varied auction held in North Yorkshire

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Hiroshige took a stand for the vertical format

02 January 2023

The Rokujuyoshu Meisho Zue (Famous Views of the Sixty-odd Provinces) series was the last great landscape work created by Japanese ukiyo-e artist Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858).

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Feast from the east of London

02 January 2023

Go East Vintage Markets is co-organised by Louisa Ware and Onur Kurtdere, who run regular markets in east London at Patchworks in Leyton, a part furniture factory and part creatives business.

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Dealer Hawkins to sell townhouses tempters

02 January 2023

Antiques dealer and taxidermy specialist Emma Hawkins is selling a collection from her townhouses in Edinburgh and London at Sotheby’s this month.

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Sword makers and armourers forced to turn to peaceful pursuits

02 January 2023

The Komai family of sword makers and armourers were among the many Japanese metalworkers courting a new clientele during the Meiji period (1868-1912).

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London Art Fair returns to its regular slot of January

02 January 2023

Thomas Spencer Fine Art brings two Henry Moore bronzes to London Art Fair, which kicks off the capital’s art fair schedule with a rich selection of Modern and Contemporary works.

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Nilson 'delighted' to be back at Mayfair in 2023

02 January 2023

A large red earthenware jar from Siwa era (14th-11th century BC), bronze age China, is offered at Mayfair Antiques & Fine Art Fair for £3800 by W Shanshan, one of a clutch of new exhibitors appearing at the London event.

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Pick of the week: Take tea early with an Elers English caddy

02 January 2023

Although Dutchmen John and David Elers came to London sometime in the 1680s as silversmiths, the brothers are remembered today as the potters who brought fine unglazed stonewares to Staffordshire.

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