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

Tudor Heart

British Museum succeeds in raising £3.5m for 'Tudor Heart' pendant

11 February 2026

The British Museum raised the £3.5m needed to buy a gold pendant discovered by a metal detectorist in a field in Warwickshire in 2019.

Two ‘putti’ sculpture

Plea for UK institution to raise £750,000 for Bedford House puttis blocked from export

10 February 2026

A pair of puttis, believed to have been crafted as one of a pair of chimney pieces for Bedford House in London, have been blocked from export.

Portrait of John Russell Taylor

Portrait of the critic John Russell Taylor is among five lots to watch

09 February 2026

With estimates from £300, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week

Four Red Tulip Petals by Eliot Hodgkin

Petal power: Eliot Hodgkin study brings ‘extremely wealthy’ collectors to Chichester sale

09 February 2026

Berkshire-born artist Eliot Hodgkin (1905-87) is known for his highly detailed still-lifes of natural objects, depicting subjects ranging from fruit and vegetables to eggs and pastries.

Money Laundering Directive

Latest figures reveal art trade fines of nearly quarter of a million

06 February 2026

Almost a quarter of a million pounds in fines have been issued to art dealers and auction houses by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) in the six months to September 30, 2025.

Slang dictionary

17th century dictionary of slang emerges at Gloucestershire auction

06 February 2026

Visitors to London at the end of the 17th century needed to take care: banditts, adamtilers and fencing-cullies were out looking to prey on unwitting buzzards, fat culls and fuddlecaps.

Middle British Colonies map

Early America begins to emerge on a silk map

06 February 2026

In this the 250th anniversary year of American Independence being declared, a rare printed silk map of British North America emerged for sale in Dorset.

TEFAF New York

UK supplies most new exhibitors to TEFAF New York

06 February 2026

TEFAF New York has announced the line-up at its next edition, which includes 10 newcomers among 88 exhibitors.

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Bright and beautiful 19th and early 20th century jewels shine at auction

06 February 2026

This array of jewels formed part of the first tranche of a remarkable private collection sold by Catherine Southon (23% buyer’s premium) in Chislehurst.

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Price and estimate for liner china oceans apart

06 February 2026

Liner china – ceramics associated with shipping lines and the golden age of maritime travel – can occasionally throw up surprising results.

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First a Tudor portrait identified, now dealer follows up with a Canadian Highlander firmly named

06 February 2026

A portrait of a mystery soldier identified by a dealer has sold to a private collector.

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Fresh-to-market Clifford Hall works bring demand in Surrey

06 February 2026

A group of five pictures by Clifford Hall (1904-73) came to Parker Fine Art Auctions (25% buyer’s premium) in Farnham sale courtesy of the daughter of a collector who used to paint with the artist.

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Wellington connection spurs on bidders at auction

06 February 2026

This pair of late Georgian silver spurs are hallmarked for London 1812 and carry the maker’s mark JA, probably for the specialist buckle maker John Atkins.

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Two hundred reasons to celebrate

06 February 2026

Cambridge auction house Cheffins marked its 200-year anniversary by raising £270,596 for charity in the region – exceeding its original bicentenary fundraising pledge by over £70,000.

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Chiswick's Old Cinema in step with fashion

06 February 2026

News of west London dealer collective holding a pop-up – plus lots more to visit in bustling Chiswick

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Duleep Singh makes a difference once again

06 February 2026

A handsome 19th century kingwood and ormolu decanter box offered by Hutchinson Scott (25% buyer’s premium) in Skipton, North Yorkshire was of particular note for its armorial and an inscription to the lock reading Maharaja Duleep Singh.

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Obituary: dealer Gordon Gridley (1931-2026)

06 February 2026

Gordon’s working life began as an English and drama teacher but his love of antiques led him to begin dealing from stalls at Bermondsey and Portobello Road Markets in the 1960s, fitting his antique life around his teaching job while raising a young family.

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Virtual reality helps to picture purchases in place

06 February 2026

Edinburgh furniture specialist Georgian Antiques is using virtual reality to address the importance of interior design to its clients.

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Neo-Romantic art show nods back to 1987 event

06 February 2026

Beauty, unease and nostalgia marked the works of the British Neo- Romantic artists.

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Family of artist Anne Clark come back to life as more documents emerge at auction

06 February 2026

Fresh batch of material related to artist Anne and husband Hezekiah brings extra family detail

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