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

Fairs update from Hampshire and Somerset

26 July 2021

Updates from two events taking place in the south of England.

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Republican pieces spotted within lots of plates

26 July 2021

Aficionados of later Chinese porcelain who happened to stumble on a lot of ‘collector’s plates’ at Unique Auctions (17.5% buyer’s premium) in Lincoln would have been excited to spot two fine artist-signed Republic period pieces.

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Flowery fields bloom at auctions

26 July 2021

Two views of children in flowery fields, both by Scottish artists, were among the works drawing competition at Woolley & Wallis’ (25/12% buyer’s premium).

British and Irish book auctions: July 27-August 6, 2021

26 July 2021

Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions.

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PBFA's first live book fair since lockdown to go ahead in Ilkley

26 July 2021

After a succession of virtual fairs, the Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association (PBFA) has announced the return of its first live event in Ilkley, West Yorkshire, on July 30-21.

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Staycations are boosting local antiques centres

26 July 2021

Uncertainty still affects fairs but antiques centres are benefiting from extra visitors

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Vase bought at Sotheby’s Seligman sale reappears in Bath auction

26 July 2021

This small Transitional porcelain vase came for sale at Gardiner Houlgate (22% buyer’s premium) in Corsham, Bath, on July 1.

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Prize example of a tazza draws interest at Cotswolds auction

26 July 2021

This 15in (37cm) Sèvres porcelain presentation tazza or ‘Coupe Cybele’ was made for the Paris Exposition 1878.

Thomas Lawrence's 'The Red Boy'

Lawrence’s ‘The Red Boy’ bought by The National Gallery in deal via Christie’s

24 July 2021

The National Gallery is to acquire a portrait by Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830) with the help of charitable donations and advice from Christie’s.

Chinese export coffee cup

Artist Joshua Reynolds’ coffee cup stars in our pick of five auction highlights sold this week

23 July 2021

ATG’s weekly selection of items that caught bidders’ eyes includes a pair of Chinese export coffee cups and saucers commissioned by portraitist Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792) that doubled estimate in Yorkshire.

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Polar Medals sold at auction are believed to be the only father and son combination ever awarded

22 July 2021

What is believed to be the only father and son Polar Medal group to be awarded more than doubled the top estimate at Warren & Wignall (17.5% buyer’s premium) on July 14.

Lawrences

Consequences of self-isolation for businesses

22 July 2021

Art and antiques businesses are being impacted by staff shortages due to self-isolation requirements relating to the coronavirus pandemic.

DH Lawrence’s novel Lady Chatterley's Lover

A dozen ‘national treasures’ saved for the nation after export licence blocks

21 July 2021

A dozen items deemed national treasures were bought by institutions between May 2018 and April 2020 with a value of £7.6m, according to the latest report.

Defra

Government launches consultation on extending antique ivory ban to hippos, narwhals, walruses and whales

20 July 2021

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has launched a consultation on extending the near-total ban on the antique ivory trade.

Portobello Road area flooding

Portobello dealers ‘left reeling’ as flood hits shops and arcades

19 July 2021

Portobello Road dealers are cleaning up after “a month of rain in 90 minutes” flooded homes and businesses in the area last week.

Kempton antiques fair

Coronavirus rules relax but mask wearing to be the norm at antiques events

19 July 2021

Larger indoor fairs can go ahead in England now that coronavirus restrictions have been relaxed but many firms will retain coronavirus measures.

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Christie’s says Asian buyers now dominant

19 July 2021

Asian buyers have become the dominant force at the top end of the auction market, according to Christie’s.

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Sly bidder bags Lalique’s rare fox

19 July 2021

One of the rarest of all of the 31 car mascots made by Lalique between 1925-31 came up for auction at Kinghams in the Cotswolds.

Dr Elena Greer with tortoises

A slow recovery: stolen tortoises resurface after 29 years

19 July 2021

Four Victorian bronze tortoises stolen from National Trust property Kingston Lacy in Dorset have been recovered nearly 30 years later.

A Plan of the Town of Newmarket

Pick of the week: Demand for Georgian print is racing certainty

19 July 2021

A rare Georgian print on a sporting theme was offered by Northumberland auction house.

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