International

About 80% of the global art market by value takes place outside the UK. The largest art market in the world is the US with China in third place (after the UK) followed by France, Germany and Switzerland.

Many more nations have a rich art and antiques heritage with active auction, dealer, fair, gallery and museum sectors even if their market size by value is smaller.

Read the top stories and latest art and antiques news from all these countries.

18th century Anton Walter forte piano

Piano Auctions to sell in Holland after Brexit

05 February 2024

The impact of Brexit on UK overseas trade has led one auction house to open a saleroom in the Netherlands.

1663 Petition crown

Petition crown sets British silver coin record

05 February 2024

A new auction record for an English silver coin was set during the New York International Numismatic Convention (NYINC).

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Dealer Bruce Knight’s personal collecting taste was a cut above

05 February 2024

An 18th century Native American trade axe pipe linked to the great Shawnee chief and warrior Tecumseh (1768-1813) was the runaway performer when the collection of Ohio dealer and entrepreneur Bruce Knight was dispersed in the first days of the New Year.

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Shaving mugs attract top prices from foam bidders

05 February 2024

A staple at American barber shops of the 19th and early 20th centuries was the occupational shaving mug.

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Cranach ‘copies from 19th century’ carry their own value

05 February 2024

Among the most contested lots at Nadeau’s (23% buyer’s premium) sale on January 1 was a set of miniature watercolour and gouache portraits credited to a follower of the German court painter Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472-1553).

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Bereny tobacco advert poster: a good little burner

05 February 2024

An original version of one of the great Art Deco posters emerged at Sapphire Auction Gallery (20% buyer’s premium).

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Comics make heroic prices in a super sell-out US auction

05 February 2024

Heritage Auctions’ 1170-lot Comics & Comic Art sale held on January 11-14 delivered a white-glove result.

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Ultimate example of nepotism from Napoleon

05 February 2024

Biennais bronzes portrayed Napoleon and the many family members he appointed to poweful positions

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Firm known for cameras also created this work of art

05 February 2024

The Victorian artist’s box, an essential accessory for any 19th century amateur, doesn’t get much better than this example sold for $5000 (£4000) at Briggs Auction Co (28% buyer’s premium) in Garnet Valley, Pennsylvania, on December 8.

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Argentinian artist Demarco’s world is full of kinetic energy

05 February 2024

The top lot at Leonard Auction’s (25% buyer’s premium) December 10 sale in Addison, Illinois, was a work by the Argentinian Op artist Hugo Rodolfo Demarco (1932-95).

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American tazza was designed by a Danish silversmith

05 February 2024

A rare silver and turquoise tazza designed by Erik Magnussen (1884-1961) for the Gorham Manufacturing Company sold for $24,000 (£19,000) at Schwenke Auctioneers (29/27% buyer’s premium) in Woodbury, Connecticut.

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Five questions with Kent Tschanz of Tschanz Rare Books

05 February 2024

Kent Tschanz of Tschanz Rare Books in Salt Lake City, Utah, is among the exhibitors at the ABAA’s 56th California International Antiquarian Book Fair (February 9-11).

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Dealers news in brief including a new home for the Eye of the Collector fair

05 February 2024

Our roundup of dealer news includes a new date a time announced for the 'Eye of the Collector' fair

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Early diving helmet surfaces in Kansas

05 February 2024

Nation’s Attic (20% buyer’s premium) in Wichita, Kansas, is the leading US auction house for vintage diving equipment, so when an elderly widow approached them about liquidating her late husband’s collection, they knew they had something special.

Sotheby’s saleoom New Bond Street

Sotheby’s slashes buyer's fees and sets seller's commission at standard rate

03 February 2024

Sotheby’s has announced a major shake-up of its customers’ fees, reducing its buyer’s premium for the first time since it was introduced in 1979 and setting seller's commission at a standard rate.

Tefaf

Two British firms added to TEFAF New York roster

03 February 2024

TEFAF New York returns to the Park Avenue Armory in May with 90 exhibitors including nine newcomers.

Van Dyck self portrait

Mixed fortunes for rediscovered Rubens and van Dyck self portraits in New York auction

02 February 2024

Two recent art market discoveries, both self-portraits by titans of 17th century British art, met contrasting fortunes in New York.

Churchill Forbes Collection (4)

Churchill's personal writing desk sold in New York

01 February 2024

Winston Churchill’s desk which he used to write his Second World War memoirs has been sold by Peter Harrington Rare Books at The Winter Show in New York (January 19-28).

Wood and antler chandelier

Last hurrah for the Ann and Gordon Getty collection

31 January 2024

Finding antiques with the wow factor was Ann Getty’s forte and she did it with great dedication, some good advice and an outstanding bank balance.

Bayeux embroidery replica

Bayeux Museum buys Victorian replica of the famous tapestry from the collection of Rolling Stones drummer

31 January 2024

The Bayeux Museum in France has bought a life-size Victorian replica of the Bayeux tapestry from the Charlie Watts sale.

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