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

La Vaccination by Pascal-Adolphe-Jean Dagnan-Bouveret

Pick of the week: Inject a dose of reality into art

02 April 2026

In the latter half of the 19th century, French society stood at the crossroads of progress.

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Wooden netsuke full of life at auction despite draconian laws on affecting ivory versions

02 April 2026

Despite the strict antique ivory rules, Japanese art can still take big sums - as a Norfolk sale demonstrates

Coalbrookdale benches

Plea to find Coalbrookdale benches and sundial stolen in Herefordshire

01 April 2026

The owner of a group of four antique Coalbrookdale benches and a decorative armillary sundial has made a plea to the antiques trade to look out for her stolen garden items.

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National Army Museum acquires Victorian study from Cecil Court dealer

31 March 2026

London dealer Darnley Fine Art of Cecil Court has sold a study of Henry Nelson O’Neil’s picture Eastward Ho! to The National Army Museum.

Treen

Somerset antiques dealer launches curated collection in London interiors shop

31 March 2026

Rebecca Christie-Miller Antiques has extended links with interiors shop Pentreath & Hall and will promote a curated collection of antiques in its Rugby Street showroom in Bloomsbury.

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George I longcase clock is among five lots to watch

30 March 2026

With estimates from £500 here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week

Mary Anning letter

Dorset museum’s fundraising secures letter from pioneering fossil hunter Mary Anning at Bonhams auction

27 March 2026

The Lyme Regis Philpot Museum’s fundraising campaign raised enough to buy a letter fragment from Mary Anning (1799-1847) offered at a Bonhams auction.

St James'

Dealers in St James’s warn that rent rises could lead to firms closing

27 March 2026

The threat of significant rent rises in the heart of the historic art and antiques district of St James’s, London, have forced at least two galleries to contemplate leaving the area.

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‘Clear recognition of George Sherwood Hunter’s distinctive vision and technical accomplishment’

27 March 2026

A large group of works by George Sherwood Hunter (1846-1919) that had remained in the artist’s family for over a century was dispersed at two sales conducted by Anderson & Garland (25% buyer’s premium) over the last six months.

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Tests of faith and legal learning in East Sussex

27 March 2026

English religious manuscript and Italian academic diplomas catch the eye

Antiques fairs: be inspired by new Staffs event

27 March 2026

Dominating the skyline in the Staffordshire city of Lichfield is the only medieval cathedral in the UK with three spires.

An anatomical poster on a dealer's stand at the Wolsingham Antique & Salvage Fair.

Making deals and burning rubber

27 March 2026

Shift from racecourse to motor-racing venue also gives traders opportunity to drive a sports car

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Focus on art from unusual angles

27 March 2026

Works in demand at auction do not always reflect the subjects and themes that artists are best known for

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No jacket, no big problem for a first edition Hobbit

27 March 2026

A first edition, first impression of The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien is a valuable proposition even without its dustjacket.

Stepney Tyres sign

Huge automobilia ‘barn find’ was more of a ‘two-barn find’

27 March 2026

A record price will always stand out, but this comprehensive collection also boasted a much wider range of strong prices underlying a buoyant market

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Long-distance flight moves from experiment to reality thanks to pioneers such as Lombardi

27 March 2026

A rare surviving group of unseen early aviation photographs documenting the pioneering long-distance flights of Italian pilot Carlo Francesco ‘Francis’ Lombardi (1897-1983) was offered at Roseberys (26/25/20% buyer’s premium) in south London on March 11.

Auctioneer Richard Madley on the rostrum

Madley back at the crease (or rostrum in this case)

27 March 2026

Auctioneer Richard Madley has returned to the cricketing rostrum.

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Motor oil can fuels a £1700 auction price

27 March 2026

This British Aero Lubricants AMG No 1 motor oil can estimated at £100-150 sold instead via thesaleroom.com for a £1700 hammer price.

A market stall full of colourful poster art

London fleamarket: take it to the bridge

27 March 2026

Christian Scrimgeour of Flea London in Vinegar Yard and Flat Iron Square is returning to canalside Hackney Bridge for her permanent weekend fleamarket.

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Lalique car mascots out of financial reach? Maybe try an Ashay instead

27 March 2026

With the most sought-after Lalique glass car mascots making prices up to tens of thousands of pounds at auction, collecting in that market can become very expensive very quickly if you want a wide range.

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