Auctioneers

The auction process is a key part of the secondary art and antiques market.

Firms of auctioneers usually specialise in a number of fields such as jewellery, ceramics, paintings, Asian art or coins but many also hold general sales where the goods available are not defined by a particular genre and are usually lower in value.

Auctioneers often provide other services such as probate and insurance valuations.

Nick Nicholson and Aviva Lehmann

New hires at Heritage Auctions and Lyon & Turnbull are among the latest Movers & Shakers

13 March 2026

From decorative arts and jewellery to new offices and law, here is a selection of the latest hires across the world of art and antiques

img_18-2.jpg

Former dealer’s remarkable Oscar Wilde collection takes four times the estimated total

13 March 2026

The Oscar Wilde Collection formed over 60 years by bibliophile and former dealer in Oriental antiques Jeremy Mason prompted collectors to come out in force and was 100% sold at Bonhams (28/27% buyer’s premium) in Knightsbridge.

img_10-2.jpg

Great Scots regalia on offer at auction

13 March 2026

Georgian regalia from two famous Scottish regiments was sold by Railtons (20% buyer’s premium) in Wooler, Northumberland, on February 20.

img_17-2.jpg

Hunter, Hunt and Hurt... and Forbes

13 March 2026

Among a selection of 19th and early 20th century pictures at Anderson & Garland’s (25% buyer’s premium) latest Fine Art Auction was an attractive painting by Elizabeth Adela Forbes (1859-1912).

img_11-1.jpg

Medal man Mark Smith interview: how keeping it real is key to understanding this market

13 March 2026

Medals expert familiar to millions through the Antiques Roadshow chats about his latest book telling a very personal story.

img_11-3.jpg

Peninsular War medal with clasps for nine actions underlines a soldier's dangerous service

13 March 2026

A medal with nine clasps from a soldier who was wounded in the head and twice in the thigh during the Peninsular War stood out in a recent sale held by Stanley Gibbons Baldwin’s (23% buyer’s premium).

img_14-2.jpg

Maker's mark helps papier-mâché vase fly to 10 times estimate

13 March 2026

Japanned Jennens & Bettridge creation gains value as rare survivor in such good condition

img_14-5.jpg

‘Dora's’ sampler brings demand in Bath auction

13 March 2026

The New Orphan Houses in the Ashley Down district in the north of Bristol were once the largest orphanages in the UK.

img_15-1.jpg

The Midas silver touch from the great van Vianen

13 March 2026

London numismatic auction house Morton & Eden (23% buyer’s premium) sold a silver plaquette by the great Dutch silversmith Paulus van Vianen (1570-1613) for £130,000 at a recent sale.

img_8-1.jpg

Not on the front line – but first rate gallantry medals are still highly collectable

13 March 2026

Latest result for a ‘not in the face of the enemy’ award underlines how such honours have become a popular collecting field

img_13-3.jpg

‘Ammunition Smith’ Rorke’s Drift medals coming up for sale in London

13 March 2026

If you look closely at both Lady Butler and Alphonse de Neuville’s paintings of what is probably the most famous British colonial action of the 19th century – Rorke’s Drift – you can pick out a man with a long, thick red beard wearing a blue tunic.

img_9-2.jpg

Under siege in the First Boer War and proud of an improvised flag

13 March 2026

Despite the brief cataloguing of lot 129 in the Ellis Willis & Beckett (21.5% buyer’s premium) sale, the £4200 hammer price on February 17 indicated that bidders had fought it out for something special.

img_15-2.jpg

Saffron well done: ‘bachelor’s’ teapots made a rather diferrent brew

13 March 2026

Across the Georgian period a number of diminutive ‘bachelor’s’ teapots were produced that were probably intended for brewing saffron.

img_26-4.jpg

Egypt brought to life in just two dimensions

13 March 2026

The artist Joseph Lindon Smith (1863-1950) is considered one of the most important figures in 20th century American Egyptology.

The Cornfield by John Constable

Texas museum’s Constable ‘copy’ now revealed as an autograph work ahead of auction

12 March 2026

A previously unknown study for The Cornfield by John Constable is being offered by Heritage Auctions in June.

Clare McAndrew

Global art market returns to growth but sales remain below 2022 peak

12 March 2026

The art market grew 4% in 2025 with an estimated $59.6bn of global sales. The rise follows two consecutive years of declining values.

Detmold illustrations for The Jungle Book

Rediscovered Jungle Book watercolours make £100,000 at Roseberys

11 March 2026

Two ‘lost’ illustrations from a celebrated edition of Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book sold for a combined £100,000 at south London saleroom Roseberys on March 10.

Christie's CEO Bonnie Brennan

Chippendale out, Ive in – Christie’s unveils new rostrum design

10 March 2026

Christie’s has replaced its traditional Chippendale-style rostrums with a new version designed by Sir Jony Ive and made by furniture maker Benchmark.

Henry Moore’s King and Queen

Henry Moore’s King and Queen sculpture headlines Christie’s evening sale

06 March 2026

A large scale Henry Moore (1898-1986) sculpture drew intense bidding at Christie’s latest evening sale of 20th and 21st century art.

Marbles In Box

How Sir Barnes Wallis found his marbles and created the Bouncing Bomb for the Dambusters

06 March 2026

Set of marbles used in experiments by the renowned inventor ahead of Operation Chastise stars in a remarkable collection coming up for auction in West Sussex

News

Categories