UK

The United Kingdom accounts for more than one fifth of the global art market sales and is the second biggest art market after the US.

Through auctioneers, dealers, fairs and markets - and a burgeoning online sector - buyers, collectors and sellers of art and antiques can easily access a vibrant network of intermediaries and events around the country. The UK's museums also house a wealth of impressive collections

Napoleon Hair 2

Lock of 'Napoleon’s hair' appears at auction

11 October 2024

A locket purportedly containing a lock of Napoleon’s hair was offered at Gorringe’s in Lewes on October 8.

Two Women Wearing Cosmetic Patches

Rare 17th century portrait of black and white women goes on display at Compton Verney

10 October 2024

Following an 18-month conservation and research project at the Yale Center for British Art, an enigmatic double portrait that drew a dramatic competition at auction in 2021 is going on display at its new permanent home of Compton Verney.

2664NEDI Edit Mourning Ring C.1803 Fellows Auctioneers

Auction house Fellows to sell entire collection of renowned Edinburgh jewellers

10 October 2024

Auction house Fellows will offer the collection from Joseph Bonnar Jewellers, following the retirement of its proprietor.

Fake or Fortune? presenters

Canadian painter’s harvest scene valued at £300,000 on Fake or Fortune?

10 October 2024

A painting acquired at a regional auction has been identified as a rediscovered work by the Canadian painter Helen McNicoll (1879–1915) and valued at £300,000 on the TV show ‘Fake or Fortune?’

Carl Haag watercolour

Faces of the East: watercolour studies bring demand at two separate sales

09 October 2024

Two studies by Orientalist artists offered with attractive estimates catch the eye of bidders at auctions in Dorset and Surrey

Louis Wain Christmas Shopping

Collection of Louis Wain sketches make five figures at Parker Fine Art Auctions

09 October 2024

Christmas came early for one Louis Wain vendor as drawing of cats shopping for turkey fetched a five-figure sum in Surrey sale

Tristram Lewis bronze

Frankie Dettori bronze stolen in smash and grab from Haynes Fine Art

08 October 2024

A Frankie Dettori bronze made to mark the jockey’s retirement from racing has been stolen from Haynes Fine Art in Pimlico Road, London.

Imperial Daoguang 'floral' bowl

Huge cache of Chinese art released from storage after a century heads to Roseberys auction

08 October 2024

In storage for a century, a remarkable cache of Chinese works of art comes for sale in London this month.

gold rings

Gold increasingly destined for the melting pot as value hits a new high

07 October 2024

The gold fix in the UK rose above £2000 for the first time last week, continuing the strong increases recorded since the summer with prices rising by 9% over the last three months alone.

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Sculpture gallery carves out new base on New Bond Street

07 October 2024

Stuart Lochhead Sculpture will open its new gallery on Old Bond Street, coinciding with London Art Week in December.

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Forsyth’s tribute to killed nurse Cavell in panel form

07 October 2024

Gordon Mitchell Forsyth (1879-1952) is best known as a ceramicist - specifically for his work as art director at the Pilkington’s Lancastrian factory from 1903-14 and his subsequent teaching career as superintendent of art instruction in Stoke-on-Trent.

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Arthur Swallow returns to three-day format for Cheshire event

07 October 2024

Event originally put on hold will be restaged from next summer – but the one-dayer will also remain

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Moorcroft pottery collection provides focus on prime period works

07 October 2024

Moorcroft pottery collection offered in Essex saleroom had a great focus on signed wares of the initial Macintyre era when the designer was at his prime

Andrew Mottram Malby Maps 2663DD

Five questions with antique map dealer Andrew Mottram

07 October 2024

Andrew Mottram launched Malby Maps in 2012. In addition to dealing in antique maps, it creates ‘Geographical Memories’ by recycling and upcycling vintage maps, creating bespoke map artwork, lampshades, greetings cards, paperweights, doorstops, silk aviator cushions and other commissioned items. The firm recently exhibited at The Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair in Battersea Park.

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Mouseman: small character carvings prove to be a cut above

07 October 2024

Small-scale Mouseman carvings were typically made in Kilburn for promotional purposes – attracting custom at the Yorkshire Show or similar trade events. Rarities continue to bring muscular sums in the salerooms.

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Desportes chased down at £32,000 in Surrey saleroom

07 October 2024

The French artist Alexandre-François Desportes (1661-1743) spent much of his early career as a portraitist, including a notable spell working at the court of King Jan Sobieski of Poland.

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Czech out industrial style with the H269

07 October 2024

With its exaggerated, curved armrests, ample cushioning and cantilevered frame, the H269 bentwood chair is perhaps the best known of all Czech industrial furniture designs.

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Pratchett’s first flight of Discworld fantasy

07 October 2024

The inaugural sale at Rare Book Auctions (26.5% buyer’s premium) in Lichfield included this signed and inscribed first printing of Terry Pratchett’s 'The Colour of Magic'.

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Ancient and modern discoveries: Frieze fairs bring together the best of old and new

07 October 2024

Frieze Masters coincides with its sister fair, Frieze London, in Regent’s Park on October 9-13.

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Martin face jug ‘we trust you will like’

07 October 2024

Not only was this Robert Wallace Martin (1843-1923) stoneware ‘face’ jug deemed an excellent example of its type, but it was sold with a hand-written letter to David Oxen Esq, the original buyer of the jug in 1914.

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