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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Famous tiger burns bright – despite being a copy

01 May 2023

A later but good copy of George Stubbs’ (1724-1806) famous painting Portrait of The Royal Tiger earned its stripes when it emerged at auction.

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Japanese desk and box could be the write stuff to buy

01 May 2023

Bonhams is conducting a sale on May 18 titled Samurai Beauties and Townsmen: Japanese Art in Peace and War.

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A £65,000 price reflects considerable appeal of stumpwork mirror frame

01 May 2023

A small collection of 17th century stumpwork offered at Lindsay Burns in Perth was topped by this japanned and needlework mirror frame.

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Styles sculpture tribute to mark Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh silver wedding anniversary

01 May 2023

Alex Styles (1922-2017) was in 1966 given a glowing accolade in The Times: “Many think he is the finest designer of hand-made silver in England.”

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Letters reveal heartbreak of Princess Di

01 May 2023

A collection of 32 letters and cards written by Diana, Princess of Wales to two friends came for sale at Lay’s (18% buyer’s premium).

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Queen Mother caught in sculpture form for the final time

01 May 2023

Dreweatts of Newbury will offer a selection of royal-related works in its Interiors sale on May 16.

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Xuande ‘pomegranate’ box and cover displays imperial appeal

01 May 2023

Dreweatts’ sale on May 17-18 includes a very rare Xuande (1426-35) mark and period cloisonné ‘pomegranate’ box and cover.

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Ming ritual water vessel offered at Chiswick Auctions

01 May 2023

The sale of Asian Art at Chiswick Auctions on May 19 is led by this rare example of Ming dynasty cloisonné.

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Pressing engagement in Essex

01 May 2023

The oshi-e technique, meaning ‘pressed picture’, involves folding and pressing scraps of fabric, such as kimono cloth, and washi paper to create an image.

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Items from royal milliner Kate Day appear in the saleroom

01 May 2023

Kate Day, known as the ‘Queen’s Milliner’, made hats for Queen Elizabeth II even before her coronation and continued afterwards.

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Royal role of pioneering photographer Wilding

01 May 2023

Pictured here is a signed photo-portrait of the 20-year-old future Queen Elizabeth II and her then 15-year-old younger sister, Princess Margaret.

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Wilding portraits on offer in west London

01 May 2023

Two signed royal portrait photographs by Dorothy Wilding (1893-1976) will be offered at Chiswick Auctions.

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Lotus and chrysanthemum set to blossom

01 May 2023

Roseberys’ Chinese, Japanese & South East Asian Art sale on May 16-17 runs to over 1000 lots and includes two private collections.

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Museum secures Ingres portrait from dealer’s sale

29 April 2023

The two-day sale of works from the French dealership Talabardon & Gautier was held at Drouot by Ader (28% buyer’s premium)

Freddie Mercury

Superstar Freddie Mercury's private collection to be sold at Sotheby’s this autumn

26 April 2023

From stage costumes, handwritten lyrics and guitars to Victorian paintings, a Faberge clock and Japanese art, the private collection of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury (1946-91) is to be offered in a series of auctions.

Intaglio ring

Pick of the week: Ring that took £90,000 could be one of lost Marlborough gems

24 April 2023

A garnet intaglio ring was bid to 450-times estimate at an auction in Birmingham after speculation that it could be one of the ‘lost’ Marlborough gems.

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A John Aldridge Great Bardfield picture is among five lots to watch

24 April 2023

With estimates from £150, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week.

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Italian attractions in Philadelphia

24 April 2023

This typical genre scene by Italian painter Alessandro Milesi (1856-1945) was taken to a multi-estimate $37,500 (£31,000) at a US auction

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Anker sketch with Renaissance undertones

24 April 2023

Works by Albert Anker (1881-1910) are as popular with today’s Swiss collectors as they were in the late 19th century

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Rice wine pots come to Europe

24 April 2023

While probably not made specifically for export, Chinese silver rice wine pots had arrived in Europe as early as the late 17th century.

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