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

Léon Bonvin still life

Record for Léon Bonvin as flower painting flies to six times estimate at Olympia Auctions

17 December 2025

Olympia Auctions set an auction record for French artist Léon Bonvin (1834-66) after a poignant flower painting, one of the final works he completed before his early death, drew international competition at its latest picture sale.

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Cloisonné imperial vases pair up at £145,000

15 December 2025

The latest sale at Alastair Gibson Auctions in Kent was led by a stellar example of Meiji or Taisho era cloisonné: a pair of imperial presentation vases by Nagoya master Hattori Tadasaburo.

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Plucked out: Banjo vase hits the right note in a yellow version at £10,000

15 December 2025

While the market for post-war Whitefriars has waxed and waned in the past three decades, in 2025 several very active collectors have driven saleroom prices forward once again. It has been a strong year for the Geoffrey Baxter Textured range in particular.

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Watches consulted by three heroes of Trafalgar during the battle sell as a wave of Nelson interest sweeps in

15 December 2025

Pocket watches owned by Horatio Nelson, Thomas Hardy and Cuthbert Collingwood and consulted throughout the Battle of Trafalgar were sold together as a single lot in London on December 9.

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Medals from stricken soldier who helped Florence Nightingale on offer at Noonans

15 December 2025

The Distinguished Conduct Medal awarded to Private Samuel Vickery of the Coldstream Guards who kept Florence Nightingale safe during the Crimean War is to be offered at Noonans on January 14.

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Go Roman this year to look for festive buys

15 December 2025

Despite some “spirited resistance,” antiquities dealer Rupert Wace has been coaxed into releasing a selection of ancient treasures and curios this festive season.

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News in brief including the launch of a new auction house in Cheshire

15 December 2025

A round-up of art and antiques news from the previous seven days, including QC Auctions opening in Blakemere Village near Northwich

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Artists Deborne and Ottman come to light at Darnley Fine Art

15 December 2025

To mark the completion of its newly expanded space in the West End’s Cecil Court, Darnley Fine Art is presenting an exhibition on the so-called ‘lost’ Post-Impressionists Robert Deborne (1870-1944) and Henri Ottmann (1877-1927).

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Goodger aims for exceptional qualities

15 December 2025

This horn casket was presented to King Edward VII on March 28, 1901 by the Worshipful Company of Horners.

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Autumn staging at NEC falls into place

15 December 2025

November edition of the Classic event produces encouraging results after the summer date was cancelled

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Greaves goes down by the Chelsea riverside

15 December 2025

Two views of Chelsea Old Church by Walter Greaves (1846-1930) emerged at different salerooms in recent months.

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Plenty of collecting options in a shipshape memorabilia market

15 December 2025

Luxurious interiors, plush fittings, ornate signs and stylish promotion provide a plethora of entry points

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Take a butcher’s at this new business

15 December 2025

Fair co-organiser takes over former shop to launch his latest antiques venture

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Indulge in a bit of window shopping when visiting Sherborne

15 December 2025

Window displays are a big thing at the Sherborne Antiques Market.

Helen Rosslyn and Alice St Clair

The London Original Print Fair reveals new dates for 2026

15 December 2025

The London Original Print Fair will run from May 14-17, 2026 at Somerset House in London.

JRR Tolkien's Merton College desk

JRR Tolkien ‘Lord of the Rings’ desk triples estimate at Christie's

12 December 2025

A desk used by JRR Tolkien during the final revisions to the Lord of the Rings trilogy has sold at auction in London for £260,000 (£330,200 including 27% buyer’s premium).

Number plate

Number plate from 'Lotus driving auctioneer' comes to auction for first time in around 40 years

11 December 2025

A rare ‘three by one’ number plate tailor made for any successful auctioneer comes for sale in Herefordshire.

Kallos Gallery

Mayfair antiquities dealer Kallos Gallery closes its doors after more than a decade 

11 December 2025

Antiquities specialist Kallos Gallery is closing after 12 years as its founder is switching his interest to new projects.

The Horse Fair by Agnes Miller Parker

Major record for Scottish artist as rare 1920s painting emerges fresh to the market

10 December 2025

Works by the multi-faceted Scottish wood-engraver, book illustrator, painter and teacher Agnes Miller Parker (1895-1980) come to the market only occasionally, and when they do emerge they are almost always prints.

Martyn Rowe

Cornwall auction house goes up for sale

10 December 2025

Art and antiques saleroom Truro Auction Centre has been put up for sale as a going concern after 35 years in business.

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