Auctions

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


British and Irish book auctions: March 7-17, 2023

06 March 2023

Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions.

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DNA discovery and damnation

06 March 2023

Extraordinary letter by Nobel Prize-winning biophysicist both commends and condemns a colleague

Cantonese porcelain vases

Huge ‘Antiques Roadshow’ Cantonese Chinese vases sell at auction in Birmingham

04 March 2023

A pair of mid-19th century Cantonese porcelain vases that featured on the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow, not once but twice, were auctioned at Fellows.

Lomonosov Porcelain Factory vase

Rare Soviet-era vase stars in our pick of five auction highlights

03 March 2023

ATG’s weekly selection of items that caught bidders’ eyes includes a Lomonosov Porcelain Factory vase from 1929 that made over 35 times estimate in Buckinghamshire.

Giacometti chandelier

Giacometti chandelier bought in Marylebone antiques shop for £250 sells for £2.4m

01 March 2023

A chandelier made in the 1940s for the offices of cultural magazine Horizon, and later purchased by artist John Craxton, sold for a hammer price of £2.4m at Christie’s.

Pietre dure panel

Florentine panel fit for an emperor takes six-figure sum at Roseberys’ auction

27 February 2023

Research reveals £265,000 auction purchase is a celebrated work from Grand Ducal workshops

Babylon brick

Not just another brick in the wall: a Babylonian memento emerges at Essex auction

27 February 2023

This 13 x 13in (33 x 33cm) brick is from the walls of Babylon and dates from 604-562BC.

‘Mills bomb’ lighter

Pick of the week: The lighter side of mass destruction as novelty grenade lights up auction

27 February 2023

While they may not appear such comfortable bedfellows today, the novel weapons of mass destruction created during the First World War were deemed a perfectly suitable subject for novelty trinkets of the day.

Tiger comic

Comic where Roy of the Rovers makes his debut comes to auction

27 February 2023

For many British schoolchildren Roy of the Rovers was just as famous as any of the real-life footballers of the day.

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An Edward Burne-Jones stained glass window by Morris & Co is among five lots to watch

27 February 2023

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

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Jaeger LeCoultre: ‘The best watchmaker in the world’ says specialist

27 February 2023

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again,” comments Fellows’ watch specialist Kes Crockett. “Jaeger LeCoultre is the best watchmaker in the world. Rolex is without question the most well-known manufacturer and Patek Philippe has produced some of the most collectable watches on the market. However, JLC arguably has a richer and more important horological history than both.”

Audemars Piguet watch

Bid Barometer: issue 2582

27 February 2023

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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Napoleon document recognises exceptional bravery

27 February 2023

There is some discolouring and it appears to have spent some considerable time folded up, but this early 19th century vellum document signed “Bonaparte” as Premier Consul was sold for £3000.

British and Irish book auctions: February 28-March 13, 2023

27 February 2023

Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions.

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Navigate your way round Breitling Navitimer dial styles

27 February 2023

Over the years, the Navitimer has undergone a variety of cosmetic and mechanical changes. Pictured here are three iterations of the watch as it evolved across two decades.

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Specialists have to vie for vendors in a competitive Old Masters market

27 February 2023

Hefty estimates and guarantees suggest a fierce competition in the market when seeking consignments

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Angelica Kauffman counted royalty among her patrons

27 February 2023

Angelica Kauffman (1741-1807) was one of the most recognised artists of her day with her reputation spreading across Italy, France, Poland and Russia.

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Gallé and Daum feature in collector Blessing's mixed French and American sale

27 February 2023

Art glass will be one notable feature of the second instalment of the sale of items from the estate of Ron Blessing of Nebraska on March 18.

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Time and place for Hemingway

27 February 2023

Inscription signalled one of American literature’s most significant editorial relationships

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Auction marks end of an era for textiles dealer Peta Smyth

27 February 2023

Peta Smyth has been dealing in antique textiles since 1976 and her shop at 42 Moreton Street in Pimlico, west London, is renowned for its extensive array of fine textiles, attracting a loyal and diverse clientele of interior designers, antiques dealers and collectors.

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