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

2683NEDI NIB RWB David Coleman Typewriter Cropped

David Coleman’s commentary collection sells at RWB Auctions

04 March 2025

The personal collection of notes, research, transcripts and photographs belonging to former BBC sports commentator David Coleman (1926-2013) appeared at a recent sale held by RWB Auctions in Royal Wootton Bassett.

LEEAG.2025.0008 A

BADA Friends fund purchase for Tudor-Jacobean mansion

04 March 2025

BADA Friends has supported the purchase of a footstool for Temple Newsam in Leeds.

Fabergé pieces at Sotheby's

Castle Howard collection of Fabergé animals offered at Sotheby’s

03 March 2025

Sotheby’s is to offer a collection of 30 Fabergé animals from the Castle Howard estate on May 6 as part of its Fabergé, Gold Boxes & Vertu auction in Geneva.

img_1-1.jpg

Pocket watches with historical back-stories bring demand in Exeter auction

03 March 2025

The latest silver and jewellery sale at Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood (26/25% buyer’s premium) in Exeter included two Georgian 18ct gold pocket watches from two generations of the Drummond family.

img_8-1.jpg

Tom Roberts on track in Twickenham

03 March 2025

Born in London, artist Tom Roberts (1856-1931) became famous on the other side of the world painting the people and landscape of Australia.

img_30-8.jpg

Christopher Dresser toast rack is among five lots to watch

03 March 2025

With estimates from £150, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week

img_20-1.jpg

Barry Humphries – an entertainer and collector who could have been an artist in his own right

03 March 2025

Works painted by the man behind famous comic characters are sold at auction alongside those he acquired

img_16-1.jpg

Plates once rated as rarities on Antiques Roadshow demonstrate that delftware ‘still has a following’

03 March 2025

Two English Delftware plates, described on BBC’s Antiques Roadshow a decade ago as “as rare as you can get”, went under the hammer at Woolley & Wallis (26% buyer’s premium) on February 5.

img_17-1.jpg

Use of silver fuels powder flask desirability

03 March 2025

A rarity offered on the opening day of the sale held by Mellors & Kirk (24% buyer’s premium) in Nottingham on February 11-12 was this George III silver pear shape powder flask.

img_35-3.jpg

Bath Decorative ‘brings new business to the trade’

03 March 2025

The Bath Decorative Antiques Fair returns to The Pavilion venue from March 13-15.

img_22-2.jpg

Aubrey Beardsley takes an unusual photo finish

03 March 2025

As well as eight books and manuscripts by Aubrey Beardsley (1872-98) at Christie’s sale of the Barry Humphries collection – plus one photo of the illustrator and author too – the auction included a rare self-portrait.

img_12-1.jpg

Oak back on the auction block in Salisbury

03 March 2025

Salisbury saleroom holds specialist offering staged as part of a three-day sale as demand increases

img_49-1.jpg

Trade takes advantage of Malvern opportunities

03 March 2025

Dealers were out in force to buy from other traders at an annual showground event praised as busy but friendly

img_55-1.jpg

The tale of Great Aunt Betty, key British designer of the 1920s-30s and a fiercely independent woman

03 March 2025

“To the inhabitants of Wyndham Road, an unremarkable cul-desac of bungalows in Andover in Hampshire, Mary Stewart Lockhart, the white-haired old lady in number 5, must have seemed equally unremarkable… None of them could have realised that between the World Wars she had been one of the leading furniture makers, designers and businesswomen in the country.”

img_17-5.jpg

Bidders speak highly of mysterious 'silent companions'

03 March 2025

The so-called ‘dummy board’ or ‘silent companion’ is believed to have originated in Holland during the early 17th century.

img_24-1.jpg

Series of Wilde results for the collection of comedy legend

03 March 2025

Famed for his range of characters, Barry Humphries was also a bibliophile of great taste

img_50-3.jpg

Martin makes an appearance at Torquay monthly event

03 March 2025

The star attaction at Stephen Large’s third monthly antiques fair at the Livermead House Hotel in Torquay on Sunday, March 23, is TV personality Paul Martin.

img_50-1.jpg

IACF happy at healthy bookings

03 March 2025

Organiser’s first event at the Norfolk Showground after taking over from Aztec will be held later this month

img_17-3.jpg

Westwood and McClaren shirt suits parachuting punks

03 March 2025

A piece of British punk fashion history drew stiff competition at Newcastle saleroom Anderson & Garland (25% buyer’s premium).

img_32-1.jpg

A first for Harrington: Performing arts theme given its own staging

03 March 2025

Scripts, photographs, posters and printed sheet music reflect what has become a popular collecting market

News

Categories