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

Seventh time lucky for first work by Brontë sisters

18 December 2017

A copy of the first published work of the Brontë sisters sold for a record sum at Sotheby’s (25/20/12/5% buyer’s premium) on November 7, just a few months after a new high had been set at another London auction.

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January fair is a bit of ‘me time’

18 December 2017

For some it starts with a fireworks display. For others, a kiss at midnight. But for some London fair-goers, the New Year proper begins in the ballroom of the London Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square, with the annual Mayfair Antiques & Fine Art Fair.

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5 Questions: Helen Sutcliffe of Sutcliffe Galleries

18 December 2017

Helen Sutcliffe runs the premises of Sutcliffe Galleries in Harrogate. The family-run business has been trading for more than six decades and specialises in paintings from the 18th century to the present day.

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Christie’s pulls Waldseemüller gores ‘pending further research’ over date

18 December 2017

A ‘rediscovered’ fifth copy of Martin Waldseemüller’s globe gores from c.1507 was withdrawn from sale last week after a group of academics and dealers in the US expressed doubts over its authenticity.

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Regional highlights of the year – from a Graff ring in Birmingham to a Qing altar vase in Somerset

18 December 2017

2017 produced some eye-catching prices in the UK’s regional salerooms. Here are some stand-out lots...

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Fairs & Markets 2017 review: Centre new owner is on a high

18 December 2017

Dealer Vincent Page, the new owner of Antiques on High in Oxford, which was saved from closure earlier this year thanks to a tweet from ATG news reporter Laura Chesters regarding its sale, has been busy since his purchase in August.

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Fairs & Markets 2017 review: Tokyo duo in Notts tie-up

18 December 2017

IACF came up with some interesting leads this year and featured stories included Joe Mitchell, an event administrator for IACF who is an embroiderer, working for international costume designers.

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Suffolk railwayana steams into sale

18 December 2017

More than 400 lots of railwayana, assembled from the 1950s onwards by a single collector, will be offered at Norfolk auction house TW Gaze on January 5.

Eugene Delacroix ‘Liberty Leading the People’

The value of Liberty – sketch for Eugène Delacroix’s famous painting bid to record sum at Christie’s

16 December 2017

An oil sketch by Eugène Delacroix (1798-1863) for his renowned painting ‘Liberty Leading the People’ was knocked down at £2.6m at auction in London this week.

Cannons

Cannons from a 17th century English warship return to UK for Southend museum

15 December 2017

Recovered from a US buyer, three historic cannons are returning to Southend for a new exhibition.

 Adriaen Coorte still life

Works from ex-TEFAF President’s collection head to the National Gallery

15 December 2017

Four Old Master paintings from the collection of the late president of TEFAF, Willem Baron van Dedem, have been donated to the National Gallery.

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Lawrence of Arabia sandals emerge from supermarket carrier bag into Derbyshire auction

14 December 2017

A supermarket carrier bag concealed a battle-weary but still wearable pair of sandals worn by Lawrence of Arabia.

Richard Courtney and Victoria Borwick

English furniture dealer honoured for service to antiques trade

14 December 2017

West Sussex furniture dealer Richard Courtney has been awarded a distinguished service medal by the British Antiques Dealers’ Association.

Adrian Biddell

Ex-Sotheby’s auctioneer explains why he decided to become a dealer – video

14 December 2017

“There are many opportunities outside auction,” says Adrian Biddell, the former Sotheby’s head of 19th century European paintings who has recently launched his own dealership.

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Miner turned vet then art historian comes to Winchester exhibition

13 December 2017

In covering art and antiques, it is easy to overlook the role of the collector in among the people who created objects in the first place, and of course the dealers and auctioneers who sell them. But one collector, the late David Brown, is the subject of a show coming up in Winchester.

Harryhausen

Ray Harryhausen memorabilia sale postponed at Surrey auction house

13 December 2017

Guildford auction house Ewbank’s has agreed to suspend a planned memorabilia auction today after discussions with The Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation.

Martin Waldseemüller’s globe gores

Christie’s withdraws ‘first map’ of America after experts suggest it may be fake

12 December 2017

At the eleventh hour, Christie’s has taken the decision to withdraw the headline lot from the December 13 Books and Manuscripts sale in London after serious doubts were expressed over its authenticity.

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Rare and record Henry VII testoon coin sold in London auction is bought by Royal Mint Museum

12 December 2017

A scarce coin showing a portrait of the first Tudor monarch has been bought at auction on behalf of the Royal Mint Museum for £44,000.

BADA Friends

BADA Friends helps fund training for next generation British ceramicist

12 December 2017

The BADA Friends have ‘adopted’ a young ceramics student who is among the first intake of new ceramics programme.

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Rare engraving of the Canterbury Magna Carta is bought at local auction by the city's cathedral

11 December 2017

A rare engraving of ‘Canterbury’s Magna Carta’ of 1215 has been saved for the Kent city after it appeared in a sale at The Canterbury Auction Galleries.

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