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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The story behind The Hobbit with a spaced-out Smaug that brought a £3000 sum for Oxfam

03 February 2026

As befits one of the most read and best-selling works of English literature, JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit involves a bewildering array of editions over the many decades since the great fantasy novel made a debut on September 21, 1937.

James Ward equine portrait

James Ward horse painting is among five lots to watch

02 February 2026

With estimates from £400, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week

Daniel Turner painting of Nelson's funeral barge

Grandeur and solemnity: Painting of Nelson's funeral procession brings demand at Charles Miller sale

02 February 2026

Today, when it comes to any major news story, ‘live’ or on-the spot images of an event get published pretty much immediately. But that wasn’t always the case.

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Trinity House Paintings: search for 25 works goes on

30 January 2026

Twenty-five artworks have been listed as missing and registered with the Art Loss Register (ALR) following the administration of Trinity House Paintings.

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Corby Castle single-owner sale creates a stir over three days

30 January 2026

The first major UK single-owner auction of the calendar year was Tennants’ three-day dispersal of art and antiques from Corby Castle in Cumbria.

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Van Vianen silver plaquette surfaces in London saleroom

30 January 2026

London numismatic auction house Morton & Eden is offering a silver plaquette by the great Dutch silversmith Paulus van Vianen (1570-1613).

Kingsbridge map

Tudor map of Devon town bought by local museum

30 January 2026

A rare Tudor map of the Devon town Kingsbridge has been acquired by South West Heritage Trust.

Restoration House

BADA Friends launches spring/summer event calendar

30 January 2026

Art and antiques specialists Geoffrey Munn, Robert Tucker and Bentley & Skinner are among those involved in the latest schedule of events for The British Antique Dealers’ Association charity initiative BADA Friends.

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A career of ‘educated gambling’

30 January 2026

Veteran dealer Peter Petrou looks back on five decades in the trade ahead of an auction of items from his collection

Kempton Vintage & Classic Arms Fair

Fired up ready for four arms fairs

30 January 2026

First Kempton event this year will involve 100 dealers at the racecourse venue

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Pioneers of modern genetics catch the attention in a varied sale full of fascination

30 January 2026

Collection of molecular biologist Brenner attracts a lively response

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Not one but two Duncan Grant studies for Sussex murals emerge

30 January 2026

Preparatory works by the Bloomsbury artist were created for spectacular works at Berwick church

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Sweet selection on offer for the third time in Somerset saleroom

30 January 2026

Following equivalent sales in November 2024 and May 2025, Dore & Rees (25% buyer’s premium) in Frome was again offering Japanese objects at the end of last year from the wider collection of Asian works of art formed over more than half a century by Eva and Aubrey Sweet.

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Japanese specialist finds home at Kent auction house

30 January 2026

Demand for Japanese works was first hit by the so-called ‘Lost Decade’ that followed the collapse of the Japanese economy in 1991. However, changes in fashion, taste and legislation have also impacted prices.

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Staying ice-cool in the White City with an extraordinary Japanese vase

30 January 2026

Vase is thought to be from a group that share a provenance to the 1908 Japan-British Exhibition

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A thing of beauty on offer in Harrogate

30 January 2026

A picture of a carriage horse by a once nearly forgotten animal painter is one of the stand-out offerings at the Pavilions of Harrogate Decorative, Antiques & Art Fair.

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Kirin vase comes alive at £12,500

30 January 2026

A recent sale at Whittons (21% buyer’s premium) in Honiton, Devon, included this Meiji or Taisho (1912-26) vase by the Ando Company.

Antique Valentine's cards

Be my vintage Valentine

30 January 2026

According to the Greeting Card Association, the UK spend on Valentine’s Day in 2024 was more than £51m with around 25 million cards sent.

A Victorian stereo graphosocope

Stereoscopes: my view on a specialist field

30 January 2026

A recent item on BBC Antiques Roadshow focused on a collection of stereoscopes, some dating to the 1850s.

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