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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A message that Sengers is in hot demand

05 June 2026

Until now, paintings by the Dutch artist Lode Sengers (1896-1956) have rarely gone into four figures.

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Nautilus but nice

05 June 2026

Many of the Austrian designer Gustav Gurschner’s works of art were driven by the new possibilities provided by electricity.

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Doubled Darwin print run reaped the rewards

05 June 2026

Book owner’s son realised the impact this landmark work would have

Thomas Gainsborough drawing

‘A remarkable insight into Gainsborough’s extraordinary skill in the early part of his career’

04 June 2026

A drawing by Thomas Gainsborough, dating from 1748 when the artist was 20 years old, will go under the hammer at Cheffins this month.

Wilton House Aphrodite

Wilton House Aphrodite provides allure as sculpture triples estimate

02 June 2026

A Roman marble bust of Aphrodite, formerly in the celebrated collection of the Earls of Pembroke at Wilton House in Salisbury, has sold for £280,000 at Lyon & Turnbull.

Paulus Moreelse portrait

Dutch Old Master portrait turns heads at Gloucestershire auction

02 June 2026

The Dutch artist Paulus Moreelse (1571-1638) was a major figure in Utrecht.

Gebruder Thonet rocking chair

Rocking chair from Patrick Lindsay collection is among five lots to watch

01 June 2026

With estimates from £300, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week

Dapping on Lough Mask, County Mayo by Paul Henry

Paul Henry tops Irish art sale at Whyte’s

01 June 2026

A painting by Paul Henry (1876-1958) of Lough Mask, a vast natural limestone lake stretching between Galway and County Mayo in Ireland, led the latest sale of Irish art at Dublin saleroom Whyte’s.

Sue Tilley, the sitter in Lucian Freud's painting

Lucian Freud’s ‘benefits supervisor’ portrait emerges from the Lewis collection at Sotheby’s

29 May 2026

One of Lucian Freud’s (1922-2011) most famous portraits will appear at Sotheby’s sale of the Lewis collection in June.

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William Wordsworth house contents up for auction in the town where he was born

29 May 2026

Furnishings and personal items from Rydal Mount, the final home of the Romantic poet William Wordsworth, will be offered at auction this month.

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Tile once adorned Kashmiri gateway

29 May 2026

The cuerda seca (dry cord or kashi) technique of decorating tiles was developed in Central Asia during the latter part of the 14th century.

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Charlie Watts' bird box on song at Exeter auction

29 May 2026

This 19th century gilt metal and enamel singing bird automaton that took £17,000 was among the highlights of the Charlie and Shirley Watts collection sold by Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood.

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Beaker, boarding house and a Russian empress

29 May 2026

The story of this late 19th century Russian beaker goes back to a boarding house in Harrogate in 1894.

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Man Utd’s Gregg still revered by modern day fans

29 May 2026

Collection of goalkeeper who survived 1958 Munich disaster generates a strong demand at auction, plus Liverpool FC favourites in focus at auction

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Bloomin’ heck: it’s £24,000 for a Derby County football card

29 May 2026

A trade card featuring football player Steve Bloomer (1874-1938) went well beyond its guide of £6000-8000 as it hammered for £24,000.

2746 AB US Potter Houdini

Houdini challenge accepted

29 May 2026

Part of the legend of escapologist Harry Houdini (1874-1926) rests on the hundreds of ‘challenges’ he accepted from manufacturers of packing cases, boxes, handcuffs and the like.

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Earliest Celtic FC winner’s medal nets a record for such Scottish memorabilia

29 May 2026

On the day the 15ct gold and enamel medal Celtic FC’s latest Scottish title success clinched in the very last game of the season against Hearts came 133 years after their first.

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Auction lots act as reminders of Hammers, Wolves and Spurs in happier days

29 May 2026

A horrible season for West Ham, Spurs and Wolves has come to an end... but glory days for the clubs were recalled by several lots sold recently.

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The day the mighty Man Utd beat Joe Simpkins 5-0

29 May 2026

In May 1950 Manchester United embarked on a 12-match tour of North America.

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Previews: issue 2746

29 May 2026

Our selection of stand-out lots from 10 upcoming auctions

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