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

Ian Harris

Dealer and Antiques Roadshow veteran Ian Harris calls it a day at ‘84 and a half’

28 February 2022

Dealer and BBC Antiques Roadshow veteran Ian Harris is auctioning the majority of his stock as the company N Bloom & Son closes after more than a century.

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Goalie shirt saved since 1879 single appearance

28 February 2022

One of the earliest items of football memorabilia to appear at auction emerged at Bonhams in Knightsbridge: an England international goalkeeper shirt from 1879.

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A Queen Victoria presentation vase and a miniature table clock are among five lots to watch

28 February 2022

With estimates from £3000-35,000, here are five previews of upcoming items.

British and Irish book auctions: March 1-12, 2022

28 February 2022

Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions.

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Thrilled by the chase: hairline crack fails to deter interest as Chinese export bowl is bid ten times over estimate

28 February 2022

Chinese export bowls such as this one, decorated in the mandarin palette with famille rose foxhunting scenes, were popular both with the British and American markets in the last quarter of the 18th century.

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Photo fair back by popular demand

28 February 2022

At last October’s Bloomsbury Book Fair organiser Etc Fairs ran a concurrent photography event. It was such a success that it is being repeated as part of the 40-dealer book fair on Sunday, March 13, at the Holiday Inn in Bloomsbury.

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A duo of ‘Qianlong’ objects inspired by China’s archaic past emerge at regional sales

28 February 2022

This blue and white ewer with a Qianlong mark offered at Cheffins (24.5% buyer’s premium) in Cambridge as part of an Interiors sale is of a type modelled on a Zhou bronze ritual wine vessel or 'he'.

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Qing period cushion cover brings a comfortable bid from online Chinese bidder

28 February 2022

Qing period embroidered satin throne-back cushion covers can be seen still in situ in a number of the buildings in the Forbidden City including the Hall of Supreme Principle and the Palace of Eternal Spring. Others are held by institutions and collectors throughout the world.

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Study heads up a Harold Knight selection

28 February 2022

Early works by Harold Knight (1874-1961) are not seen very often at auction but a group of six appeared at Mellors & Kirk of Nottingham at the end of last year.

James Birtwistle

Practical help now to hand

28 February 2022

Apelles Fine Art Services, a firm specialising in end-to-end practical management and maintenance of artwork, has been founded by James Birtwistle in response to what he sees is a lack of practical hands-on familiarity with paintings and drawings among buyers.

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Heaven and earth: toilet invention influences

28 February 2022

During the Victorian era the Rev Henry Moule (1801-80) of Fordington in Dorset was doubtless considered something of a zealot.

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Righting the wrongs with exhibitions for International Women’s Day

28 February 2022

A look at exhibitions staged to coincide with the international day of celebration

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Art market: Further reflections on rare Stanhope Forbes sales in Penzance auction

28 February 2022

Works also sold in Penzance but not for six figures help to understand this market

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Three Marys star in a ‘classical and romantic’ selection

28 February 2022

Mary Queen of Scots, Mary Wollstonecraft and Mary Shelley lots feature in Edinburgh auction

Jim Spencer

News in brief – including another first edition copy of Harry Potter coming to auction

28 February 2022

A round-up of art and antiques news from the previous seven days, including a first edition copy of Harry Potter coming to auction at Hansons.

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HG Beasley’s collecting odyssey since the age of 13

28 February 2022

Two Soloman Island clubs were catalyst to amassing of more than 10,000 artefacts

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Qing iron red ‘reject’ is £25,000 surprise

28 February 2022

Leading the sale held by Thomson Roddick (18% buyer’s premium) in Rosewell, Edinburgh, was a 7in (18cm) high Qing iron red bottle decorated with chilong dragons amid stylised clouds. It had apparently been rejected by ‘a more prestigious auctioneer’.

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Porcelain beaker from the Baltic Service attracts bidding in Cumbria

28 February 2022

This porcelain beaker from the Baltic Service was the highlight of a timed online sale held by 1818 Auctioneers (22.5% buyer’s premium inc VAT) in Cumbria.

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Emms dog portraits rear their heads in different parts of the country

28 February 2022

A couple of dog portraits by leading Victorian canine painter John Emms (1844-1912) brought a flurry of bids at separate auctions held just a day apart.

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Support builds for Baggott’s ivory antiques rescue scheme

28 February 2022

The Antiques Rescue Centre (ARC), an initiative started by Michael Baggott, has attracted support from a number of auction houses and members of the trade.

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