Auctions

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


Vulliamy rosewood mantel clock

Vulliamy mantel clock stars in our pick of seven auction highlights

03 June 2022

ATG’s weekly selection of items that caught bidders’ eyes includes a 19th century ‘five-glass’ mantel clock which made over five times estimate in Lincoln.

WEB Graham Budd Nail Tagalie

Reminders of Derby Day glory sell at auction just before the big race

31 May 2022

This Saturday, June 4 is Derby Day - one of the five classic English horse races.

Bust of Robert Browning

Browning museum archive comes to auction in Essex

30 May 2022

Museum contents devoted to the celebrated Victorian poets Robert Browning (1812-89) and Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-61) will be offered this month.

Souvenirs du Camp photo

Le Gray album emerges from a drawer to take a six-figure sum

30 May 2022

Gustave Le Gray’s 'Souvenirs du Camp de Châlons' sold at Phillips in London.

Mehernefer and his son

Egyptian Old Kingdom statue once owned by George III comes to auction

30 May 2022

This Egyptian Old Kingdom statue once owned by George III will be offered at Christie’s during its Classic Week sales in July.

Silver-gilt and porcelain cutlery set

Pick of the week: Tuck into a Meissen and Augsburg treat

30 May 2022

From the very beginning, the Meissen factory sought close trade relations with the Augsburg goldsmiths.

Revolvers presented to Ulysses S Grant

Civil War general Grant's revolvers set US saleroom house record

30 May 2022

A pair of revolvers presented to American Civil War general and later US president Ulysses S Grant soldfor $4.4m (£3.61m) or $5.17m with premium.

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A George II armchair and an Edwardian cigarette box are among five lots to watch

30 May 2022

With estimates from £150-50,000, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week.

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Get the ultimate dressing-up set

30 May 2022

The numerous coronations offer a chance to buy more esoteric objects at auction.

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Ring owned by Princess Margaret comes to London saleroom

30 May 2022

This Georgian enamel and rock crystal mourning ring was formerly owned by Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon.

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‘Victoria’s gift’ to faithful retainer

30 May 2022

By repute this 15oz silver chamber stick and snuffer with glass hurricane shade was a gift from Queen Victoria to her personal attendant and favourite John Brown (1826-83).

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Hunting pistol has plenty of stopping power

30 May 2022

For 19th century sahibs in tiger country and bwanas dealing with charging lions, howdah pistols like the one offered at West Sussex gun specialist Gavin Gardiner (25% buyer’s premium) were the preferred sidearm.

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The progress of Bunyan’s work

30 May 2022

Copy printed in Boston in 1744 and now offered in Chicago was defective but a real rarity

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Seal specially commissioned by the Qianlong Emperor

30 May 2022

One of the highlights of Sotheby’s Asian art auction to be held in its Paris room on June 16 will be this jade seal carved with the imperial symbol of a dragon, estimated at €100,000-150,000.

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‘Shuttlecock’ was a hit for children’s literature printer

30 May 2022

A children’s book estimated at £20-40 in a May 14 sale held by Pippa Deeley (15% buyer’s premium) in Bodiam, East Sussex, was sold instead at £2200.

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Britains coronation coach proves popular

30 May 2022

Throughout the 20th century toy manufacturers produced commemorative models, with the coronation coach a particularly popular subject.

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Hubert de Givenchy collections to be sold in Paris auction series

30 May 2022

Collections drawn from two of Hubert de Givenchy’s residences are to be sold by Christie’s this month in a series of live and online auctions.

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Smaller Boehm statue of Queen Victoria finds admiration at auction

30 May 2022

Joseph Edgar Boehm (1834-9) was commissioned to make a statue to mark the golden jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887.

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Her Majesty has a moment of reflection

30 May 2022

Perhaps the most famous 21st century image of Queen Elizabeth II is the photographic portrait taken by Canadian artist Chris Levine (b.1960) showing the monarch with her eyes closed.

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First Freda then Thelma and Wallis for Edward VIII

30 May 2022

“It is quite pathetic to see the Prince and Freda. His love is so obvious and undisguisable.”

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