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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Georgian tea silver warms up the bidding

14 August 2023

While a few examples survive from the 17th and the very early 18th century, teacups and saucers are a rare form in Georgian silver.

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Nidhogg nestles in Yggdrasil: a Viking bronze die for armour

14 August 2023

A fine example of Viking metalworking was offered at Noonans (24% buyer’s premium) in Mayfair on July 18.

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Plaquette pays tribute to – or mocks – speaker Lenthall

14 August 2023

William Lenthall (1591-1662) was chosen as Speaker of the Houses of Commons at the beginning of the Long Parliament in 1640.

Figure of Mercury

Summer scorchers: Trio of big prices blows away August cobwebs

14 August 2023

A usually quiet August was dramatically awakened by a series of sleepers that emerged at three UK regional auction houses.

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Cypriot ‘plank’ figure sets a mystery

14 August 2023

Most terracotta plank figures from Bronze Age Cyprus have been found in Lapithos, a once important coastal centre on the north of the island.

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Old Master sales in London bring good and bad news

14 August 2023

Strong results and supply boost the market but challenges remain with bidders highly selective

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Tutankhamen pharaoh tomb find detailed in three volumes

14 August 2023

Account of the discovery of Tutankhamen’s tomb comes as rare set with dust jackets intact

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Playing card games with a new Surrealist face

14 August 2023

From late 1940 to early 1941 André Breton and a group of other Surrealists including Wifredo Lam, Max Ernst, Oscar Dominguez, Victor Brauner, André Masson and Frédéric Delanglade re-located to Marseille where they anxiously awaited visas to escape occupied France.

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Early Commando comics stir the blood of collectors

14 August 2023

Firmly in the British jingoistic ‘boy’s own’ tradition, a collection of Commando comic books turned heads when offered at Stourbridge saleroom Fieldings last year (see ATG No 2556).

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Liner launcher mallet exempted from ivory trade ban

14 August 2023

The ivory-made launching mallet and silver casket from the ill-fated RMS Empress of Ireland came for sale at McTear’s (24% buyer’s premium) in Glasgow.

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Alain Delon: actor and art and antiques collector

14 August 2023

Famous Frenchman has amassed an impressive wide-ranging array of acquisitions over six decades

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Milk jug made for William Beckford’s Fonthill Abbey comes to auction

14 August 2023

Ornate creation from Gothic fantasy comes for sale as part of the Bayreuth collection

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Cheap cape but £21,000 for in demand Star Wars Jawa figure

14 August 2023

The Vinyl Cape Jawa was the first Star Wars action figure to assume mythic status among collectors.

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Heal's garden seat was fashioned from Churchill’s yacht

14 August 2023

This Heal’s set of garden furniture added seasonal warmth to Great Western Auctions’ (24% buyer’s premium) Glasgow sale.

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Oscar Wilde letter ponders inverted commas

14 August 2023

A fine Oscar Wilde letter sold for £16,000 at Dawsons (25% buyer’s premium) in Maidenhead on June 29.

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Previews: issue 2605

14 August 2023

Our selection of lots at seven upcoming UK auctions

Cricket bat

Bid Barometer: issue 2605

14 August 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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Cat conveys a sense of calm and domestic comfort

14 August 2023

The presence of a cat added commercial appeal to a 17th century portrait of a young girl offered at Bonhams’ latest Old Master sale in London.

Royal Doulton bird jar

Royal Doulton bird jar stars in our pick of five auction highlights

11 August 2023

ATG’s weekly selection of items that caught bidders’ eyes includes a bird jar reminiscent of the Martin Brothers original designs but made by Royal Doulton.

The Voyage of Governor Philip to Botany Bay

Copy of the ‘foundation book of modern Australia’ comes to auction

08 August 2023

Following the arrival of the first British colonists and convicts to Australia in 1788, early accounts of the settlement on the continent were created.

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