Auctions

News and previews of art and antiques sold at auctions throughout the UK and overseas, from multi-million-pound blockbusters to affordable collectables.


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Bid Barometer: issue 2637

01 April 2024

ATG’s pick of auction lots bought by internet bidders on thesaleroom.com, featuring both the highest prices over-estimate and the top prices paid online.

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Lost in non-translation: honour won by a blagger

01 April 2024

On February 29 Fellows (25% buyer’s premium) of Birmingham held its inaugural Monies, Medals & Militaria sale.

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How a sensible pitch yields rewards for traditional pictures

01 April 2024

It’s wise to keep a lid on estimates for traditional pictures where condition and market freshness is lacking

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Dealer buys second Celestial Cup at auction

01 April 2024

The latest sale of Fine Asian Art at Alastair Gibson Auctions in London included a particularly impressive example of 19th century Chinese export silver.

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Steele shows his mettle in the North West Mounted Police

01 April 2024

This North West Mounted Police hat badge caught the attention when Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood (25% buyer’s premium) of Exeter sold the remaining personal effects of Canadian soldier and policeman Major General Sir Samuel Benfield Steele KCMG CB MVO (1848-1919) on March 19.

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Bravery of mine defusers recognised by George medals and crosses

01 April 2024

George Medals were awarded to military recipients for bravery not in the face of the enemy, so bomb or mine disposal is a classic reason.

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Easter Bunny and Santa moulds choc full of appeal

01 April 2024

Chocolate moulds do not get much better than the two ‘showpiece’ models offered for sale at Leonard Auction in Addison, Illinois, on March 24.

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Chronicle of a Canadian way of life soon to disappear

01 April 2024

Irish-born William W Armstrong (1822-1914) emigrated to Canada in 1851 and initially found success as a civil engineer on the early railways and pioneering photography for industrial purposes.

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Mystery panel given warm welcome by bidders

01 April 2024

This stained glass panel painted with two female nudes against a watery background flanked by the words 'FAR' and 'END' to the sides and 'SALVE' at the bottom was keenly pursued at Adam Partridge (20% buyer’s premium) in Cheshire on February 28.

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POW sketches created in secret reveal Japanese camp scenes

01 April 2024

A remarkable sketchbook compiled after its creator had been taken prisoner at the fall of Singapore in the Second World War sold for £1650 (estimate £500-700) as part of a timed online sale.

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Candlesticks brighten sale day in Suffolk

01 April 2024

The latest edition of The Oak Interior auction held by Bishop & Miller (25% buyer’s premium) in Stowmarket on February 28-29 majored heavily on metalwork.

Books and works on paper calendar, April 3-20, 2024

01 April 2024

Our regular listing of UK and Irish books and works on paper auctions

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Thanks for keeping my Scottish regalia safe, Charles

01 April 2024

This letter signed by Charles II was written in September 1660, mere months after the restoration of the monarchy.

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Snuff box up at auction 'belonged to Napoleon on St Helena'

01 April 2024

The Militaria auction at Norfolk saleroom TW Gaze on April 18 includes an item linked to Napoleon’s exile on St Helena.

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Signs to show how Brits fought back at the flying bombs

01 April 2024

The Germans began firing V1 flying bombs at Britain in June 1944 and V2 rockets followed that September.

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Trough digs out another Spry auction success

01 April 2024

This large rectangular earthenware trough, measuring 20in (21cm) across the handles, is part of the range of flower containers made by the Fulham Pottery for the society florist Constance Spry (1886-1960) from the mid-1930s to the 1950s.

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Early map provides wall to wall coverage of London south of the Thames

01 April 2024

Seventeenth century map of Bermondsey area reveals garden suburb character in a pre-industrial age

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Archaic style to modern taste when it comes to Clarice Cliff

01 April 2024

The Clarice Cliff, Art Deco & Design auction at Woolley & Wallis (26% buyer’s premium) in Salisbury on March 20 included this rare 10in (25cm) vase, shape no 375, decorated in the Archaic pattern mirroring a capital design from a temple in Luxor.

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Medals & militaria: String of six-figure successes in Mayfair

01 April 2024

Mayfair auction house builds on an excellent performance last year with stand-out results at the start of 2024

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‘It felt like the old heyday of Clarice’

01 April 2024

Three-hundred lot sale of the Art Deco classic shows signs of the market returning to 1990s boom time

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