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

ATG Lawyer Writes V3 JPG

A lawyer writes: Selling ‘windfall’ finds after taking possession can throw up legal posers

24 March 2025

Finders keepers? It’s not as simple as that if you discover unexpected items to go with a purchase

img_45-1.jpg

Lockdown event still going strong

24 March 2025

Dealer duo started online showcase during the pandemic but around 20 traders continue to feature

img_18-1.jpg

Medal marks the unpopular royal marriage of Mary and Philip

24 March 2025

A Renaissance gilt bronze medal made to mark the marriage of Queen Mary I (1516-58) and King Philip II (1527-98) sold for £15,500 at Sloane Street Auctions (26.5% buyer’s premium).

img_45-4.jpg

Derbyshire centre set to close with costs blamed

24 March 2025

An antiques centre in north Derbyshire is set to close on March 31 after 15 years in business.

img_24-1.jpg

Nice little earner: Wealth of Nations generates double the low estimate

24 March 2025

Second edition copy of Adam Smith classic work sells at £8000 in Cumbrian saleroom

img_15-5.jpg

Lehmann Lo & Li on a high at fives times the low estimate

24 March 2025

One of the rarest and most colourful Lehmann toys put in a bright performance at Special Auction Services.

img_19-1.jpg

Carafe inscription reveals connection to the Kit Kat Club

24 March 2025

An early 18th century onion-shaped decanter or carafe offered at Halls (24% buyer’s premium) in Shrewsbury was of particular interest for a point-engraved inscription to the body. It read 'The Kit Kat Club at the Fountain Tavern on the Strand'.

img_45-3.jpg

Classic car boot roaring ahead at regular venue

24 March 2025

An event where vintage fashion-spotting and classic car-ogling is part of the weekend is the Classic Car Boot Sale, organised by Hemingway Design.

img_12-1.jpg

Mickey Mouse figure from the early days of Disney marketing

24 March 2025

The Disney character was one of the first examples of using merchandise for promotion and early items are sought after by collectors

img_47-1.jpg

Traders toast fresh Denbies set-up in Surrey

24 March 2025

Sunbury Antiques Fairs has successfully taken over the running of the event staged in the Surrey hills

img_13-2.jpg

Very special Corgi James Bond submersible car surfaces

24 March 2025

When it comes to collectables, the 007 films are on a level of their own. So much so in fact, that a Surrey auction house stages a dedicated sale.

img_18-4.jpg

Waste material turned into ashtray not to ashes

24 March 2025

The YZ-branded range of novelties – a whimsical selection of ashtrays, match holders, pipe holders, pipe racks etc fashioned in tropical hardwoods and cherry amber bakelite – was produced by walking stick and cane maker Henry Howell and Company in the 1920s-30s.

img_25-1.jpg

Bees create a buzz in the 17th century

24 March 2025

Written by the English naturalist and apiarist Rev Charles Butler and printed by the Oxford bookseller Joseph Barnes in 1609, 'The Feminine Monarchie or A Treatise Concerning Bees' is considered the first book on the science of beekeeping in the English language.

img_13-1.jpg

Triang Minic LMS railway van delivers a strong result at auction

23 March 2025

This tinplate, clockwork Triang Minic post-war LMS railway van 80M hammered at 10 times the low estimate in the Vectis auction on March 4.

The Lustre Bowl by Sir William Nicholson

William Nicholson still life sells for five times estimate at Christie’s

21 March 2025

Christie’s latest evening sale of Modern British and Irish Art raised a total of £11.3m including premium with all bar one of the 24 lots selling on the night.

Embroidered gauntlet gloves

A gift of the king: Civil War gauntlet gloves quadruple estimate at Bonhams

20 March 2025

The timed online sale of Books & Manuscripts at Bonhams Knightsbridge that closed on March 20 included a pair of 17th century embroidered gauntlet gloves that reference one of the most famous – and most romanticised – moments of the Civil War.

William I and Harold II pennies

William the Conqueror coin gets one over Harold at auction

20 March 2025

The two foes met again – this time at an auction at Stanley Gibbons Baldwin’s in London

Emil Nolde watercolour

Emil Nolde watercolour sells for £29,000 at Halls

20 March 2025

A watercolour by the Expressionist painter Emil Nolde (1867-1956) which underwent a year-long authentication process drew a decent competition at Halls this week.

Tommy Cooper’s fez

Just like that, Tommy Cooper’s ‘last fez’ sells at auction

19 March 2025

Tommy Cooper’s (1921-1984) ‘last fez’ appeared at Hansons in Woburn, Bedfordshire, doubling its estimate to fetch £7000 (plus 26.5% buyer’s premium).

Ludovic-Rodolphe Pissarro woodcut

Exhibition celebrates women during wartime

19 March 2025

From woodcuts to a design for Wedgwood plates, Women at War offers perspectives of war that are slightly less familiar

News

Categories