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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Metal detector’s £35,500 Celtic find

16 June 2008

Morton and Eden have sold 41 Celtic gold coins found by a metal detectorist in Kent for £35,500. The coins, some of which are shown here, were found over a three-year period between 2003 and 2006, scattered over a ploughed field near Westerham in Kent, the precise location of which is being kept secret.

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Two cricket scenes that fared well at the crease…

16 June 2008

TWO very different scenes of cricket matches in progress sold recently at very different locations. The artists themselves could also hardly be more contrasting: Camille Pissarro (1830-1903) and L.S. Lowry (1887-1976).

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Open Weekend planned at Edward Barnsley Workshop

16 June 2008

APPRENTICE Andy Cunningham will be among those displaying their skills at the Open Weekend being held at the Edward Barnsley Workshop near Petersfield from June 21-22.

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Auctioneers pull lots as fakes scandal unfolds

11 June 2008

Sotheby’s New York and Christie's King Street both withdrew furniture lots provenanced to dealers John and Carlton Hobbs from sale last week – casualties of the unfolding "fake" furniture scandal first exposed by The Sunday Times.

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The two faces of the £56,000 Sparks Gold at Duke's

09 June 2008

As BBC cameras rolled for live television, Duke’s of Dorchester sold three pieces of purportedly ancient gold for a total of £56,000 on June 5. The consignment, rejected by at least one major London auction house before Duke’s accepted them, has been the source of much opinion since their sale was announced in late May.

Hedge funds rethinking strategy on art investment

09 June 2008

Hedge funds operating in the art market are shifting their investments from the medium to the short term. That is the view of Randall Willette, managing director of Fine Art Wealth Management Ltd, who was a keynote speaker at the 2008 Art Investment Conference at the London Business School.

Mall owners appeal over redevelopment

09 June 2008

THE owners of The Mall in Camden Passage have appealed against the council’s decision to reject their proposals to redevelop the North London antiques centre.

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Hidden gem from the Michelangelo of musical boxes makes £54,000

09 June 2008

François Nicole, the Geneva-based pioneer of the musical box, is thought to have made around 440 boxes during his working life, but only 60 are known today. Make that 61: courtesy of a local vendor another turned up at Cirencester auctioneer Moore Allen & Innocent on May 30.

Humberts continue in Cotswolds

09 June 2008

DESPITE the latest news concerning the property company and auction firm Humberts, the Cotswolds fine art operation will continue as before.

Olympia fair stand awards announced

09 June 2008

AWARDS for best stands were presented on June 5, the preview day of the Olympia International Art & Antiques Fair, which closes on June 15.

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Work starts at Bonhams’ new Edinburgh saleroom

02 June 2008

Building work is now underway at 22 Queen Street, Edinburgh, the site of Bonhams’ new Scottish headquarters. The first auction at the new premises will be The Scottish Sale – the annual themed event timed to coincide with the Edinburgh International Festival – on August 27-29.

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Russian plate sparks international battle in Wales

02 June 2008

Yet another example of a British auction house benefiting from the craze for all things Russian was seen at Welsh auctioneers Rogers Jones of Colwyn Bay on May 27, when international interest clamoured for this Russian plate.

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FA Cup medal from 1880 sells in Bristol

02 June 2008

This year’s FA Cup was seen as something of a turn-up with Portsmouth and Cardiff, two teams from outside the Premier League’s top four, reaching the final. But there was a time when the now-mighty Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal were nowhere to be seen in the competition.

Three-day lathe show in London

02 June 2008

THIS week sees a three-day celebration of the art of the lathe organised by the Worshipful Company of Turners.

RCA graduate show dates

02 June 2008

This year's annual Royal College Art graduate summer exhibition, entitled Show RCA, includes the work of over 400 contemporary art and design students, most of which will be for sale or available for commission.

Dealers and auctioneers football match 2008

02 June 2008

THIS year’s Dealers vs Auctioneers chairty football match will take place on August 29 at the Bank of England Sports Club, Roehampton.

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Godwin table thrown in a skip makes £40,000 in Shrewsbury

27 May 2008

This walnut table by the English architect-designer Edward William Godwin (1833-86), was spotted by Jeremy Lamond from Shrewsbury-based Halls during a routine valuation visit to a house in the Welshpool area.

Bermondsey Market back on the square soon

27 May 2008

Bermondsey Antiques Market is about to move back outside after four years, during which time Bermondsey Square has been redeveloped.

Chippendale study day in Yorkshire

27 May 2008

Tennants are hosting a study day titled The Marquetry Furniture of Thomas Chippendale.

Giles’ 18th century china painting workshop

27 May 2008

Stockspring Antiques will host a loan exhibition entitled The Early James Giles and his Contemporary London Decorators from June 5 to 17 at 114 Kensington Church Street, London.

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