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

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Elizabeth, Mary and Mendel

28 January 2019

A recently released new film about the relationship between Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots, one in which certain historical liberties appear to have been taken concerning the generally accepted belief that the two women never actually met, brings a topicality to a letter offered last month in London.

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Ammo ad sign under hammer

28 January 2019

Once breech-loading guns became the norm, the gun itself was only one part of the equation. Ammunition was the great variable, as demonstrated by the advertising display boards produced in large numbers for the gun shops and ironmongers of the United Kingdom.

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Dealers team up as chapel view helps heart charity

28 January 2019

Barewall Art Gallery in Burslem recently sold 'Chapel' by Arthur Berry (1925-94), raising £2170 for the British Heart Foundation.

What’s on this weekend: February 2-3, 2019

28 January 2019

Fairs to visit this weekend in Didcot and Dorset.

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Excellent English examples of pistols trigger bidding

28 January 2019

The Thomas Del Mar (24% buyer’s premium) sale in London on December 5 included several excellent pairs of English pistols.

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Missionary zeal and tsunami destruction at Christie's

28 January 2019

An unusual Chinese School picture of a 17th century Dutch missionary scene led Christie’s (25/20/12.5% buyer’s premium) £2m sale of topographical pictures in London.

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Clive Hamilton aka CS Lewis

28 January 2019

Illustrated below is the title page of a copy of the very first book by CS Lewis to be printed, Spirits in Bondage of 1919.

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5 Questions: Mark Peaker of 3812 Gallery

28 January 2019

Mark Peaker is co-founder and chief executive of Hong Kong’s 3812 Gallery, which specialises in Chinese post-war and contemporary art with a focus on ink. A new branch of the business opened in St James’s, London, last year. The exhibition 'Echoes' runs from January 28-March 9.

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Famous battles boost auction fortunes

28 January 2019

Many weapons have to remain silent witnesses to the conflicts in which they took part, so there is always extra interest in arms which can be linked directly to a particular soldier or battle.

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Fish servers are a rare find

28 January 2019

A rare pair of 19th century silver fish servers are on offer from Schredds at next month’s Petersfield Antiques Fair.

George Paterson

Charity antique fair planned in Tunbridge Wells in memory of silver dealer

26 January 2019

The granddaughter of silver dealer George Paterson is to launch an antique fair in Tunbridge Wells in April to raise money for the hospice where her grandfather spent his last weeks.

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Medals awarded to Britain's shortest-serving prime minister George Canning come up at London auction

25 January 2019

Pub names can provide a snapshot of British history. Many years ago now, while subsisting on cheese on toast at a university hall of residence in south London, I was fascinated by the name of a nearby boozer called the George Canning.

Candlestick

What lots caught bidders’ eyes in the last week? Five auction highlights including a rare 17th century candlestick and an Arts and Crafts brooch

25 January 2019

ATG’s selection of hammer highlights over the past week include a pencil collection, a rare candlestick and an Arts and Crafts brooch.

‘Triestiner Fischerboot’ by Egon Schiele

Rare painting by Egon Schiele to appear at auction for the first time at Sotheby’s

25 January 2019

An unusual painting of a fishing boat by Egon Schiele (1890-1918) will be auctioned at Sotheby’s in London next month.

Jewellery

A selection of 20th century pieces sold at Fellows’ Antique & Modern Jewellery auction

25 January 2019

Here are five examples of modern jewellery that were sold yesterday in Birmingham. Earlier this week we previewed this auction. Now we review the hammer prices for the five items we chose.

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Oxford’s Bodleian Library buys 500-year-old book-box from Paris dealer

24 January 2019

The University of Oxford’s Bodleian Libraries has acquired a rare 15th-century French Gothic coffer – one of the largest-surviving examples of a late medieval box used for transporting precious books.

Record

Rediscovered Bowie songs come to auction in Merseyside

24 January 2019

A copy of a previously unheard studio recording made by a young David Bowie comes up for sale at auction next week.

Bronze

Lots from Russian dealership Iconastas Gallery go under the hammer at Berkshire auction

24 January 2019

The latest dispersal of objects from the collection of the late Christopher Martin-Zakheim and his shop Iconastas Gallery went under the hammer at Dawson’s Auctioneers of Maidenhead last weekend.

Tray

Government halts export of 17th century southern Indian tray in hope of finding UK buyer

23 January 2019

A south Indian Bidri pear-shaped tray dating from the 17th century has been temporarily blocked from export from the UK by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

Cabinet

Seven highlights from Chiswick Auctions’ sale of the remarkable contents of a 16th century home

23 January 2019

The “stunning” contents of a 16th century London house owned by a collector of art and antiques is coming to auction next month. Chiswick Auctions will offer more than 110 lots in the sale called A Private London Collection on February 5.

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