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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Album of designs includes Louvre’s famous snuffbox

29 May 2026

The Van Blarenberghes were a dynasty of artists from Lille in northern France.

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Not to be sneezed at: 1776 hankie bought by US museum

29 May 2026

A handkerchief made in early 19th century Scotland celebrating the 1776 Declaration of Independence and featuring portraits of George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson hammered for $55,000 (£40,425) at Eldred’s (26% buyer’s premium).

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When the World Cup kicked off

29 May 2026

The Sportingold (20% buyer’s premium) World Cup, International & North American Soccer Sale on May 27 was timed handily just before the 23rd World Cup begins in the US, Mexico and Canada.

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Enamelled glass bowls over buyer

29 May 2026

Rare Renaissance item hammered at €450,000 is boosted by armorial for two significant families

Books and works on paper auction calendar, June 2-21, 2026

29 May 2026

Our regular listing of UK and Irish books and works on paper sales

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Going back to the origins of Crystal Palace and Arsenal – postcards capture club pioneers

29 May 2026

The two images of 1907-08 shown here are from a group of nine postcards relating to Crystal Palace FC that were given a modest estimate of £50-80 in the Paper Collectables sale at Toovey’s (25% buyer’s premium) on May 20.

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Bid Barometer: issue 2746

29 May 2026

ATG’s pick of auction lots bought by internet bidders on thesaleroom.com, featuring both the highest prices over-estimate and the top prices paid online.

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Was ‘Red Fuji’ painted by Wirgman Jr?

29 May 2026

Small but intriguing coastal scene estimated at just £50-80 spotted by eager bidders and taken to £3500

2746 AB US Heritage Asterisk 1

Original Asterix cover art earns its laurels

29 May 2026

An original piece of Astérix cover art painted by Albert Uderzo (1927-2020) sold for an $360,000 (£267,000) at Heritage Auctions (25% buyer’s premium) in Dallas, Texas.

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Vanderbilt collection dishes out British treats

29 May 2026

Geneva’s blue ribbon jewellery sales are not the obvious place to find a suite of mid-18th century English silver dessert plates.

Napoleonic French cannon ball

Price Reporter: Latest auction results including a Napoleonic cannon ball

29 May 2026

ATG's Price Reporter brings you a regularly updated selection of auction prices, keeping you on top of the latest market values

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Author’s powers of Persuasion

29 May 2026

Two-in-one edition of the first and last Jane Austen novels had sat undisturbed in a hallway for over 50 years

John Lavery painting linked to ‘Madonna of the Lakes'

Rediscovered Lavery painting found among convent contents to appear at auction

28 May 2026

On June 9-11, Victor Mee Auctions will offer one of the largest convent and ecclesiastical sales ever held in Ireland.

A trade card featuring Billy Bassett of West Bromwich Albion

Tiny winger, towering result: Billy Bassett Baines card hammers at 36 times top estimate

27 May 2026

West Bromwich Albion legend brings in the bidders

Cityscape by Francis Newton Souza

Souza works owned by Indian art critic raise six-figure sum at Sloane Street Auctions

27 May 2026

Francis Newton Souza (1924-2002) remains the most established name on the secondary market when it comes to modern Indian pictures.

HMS Victory model

HMS Victory model given to Margaret Thatcher sails away at auction

26 May 2026

A model of Nelson’s flagship Victory made by French prisoners-of-war a few years before the Battle of Trafalgar which was later given to Margaret Thatcher has sold for a £92,000 hammer price.

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Edwardian novelty inkwell is among five lots to watch

25 May 2026

With estimates from £400, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week

Portrait of the Duke of Wellington

Thomas Lawrence portrait of Duke of Wellington heads back to auction

23 May 2026

A portrait of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, by Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830) will be offered at Christie’s this summer.

Side table

Side table takes centre stage with a £26,000 bid

22 May 2026

This Indo-Portuguese ivory inlaid rosewood side table had last been sold in 1950 when it was bought by the ceramicist Eric James Mellon (1925-2014) while an art student in London.

Oscar Wilde college photo

As one Oscar Wilde Oxford college photo sells in the UK, another is found in US library

22 May 2026

A rare photograph of the poet and playwright Oscar Wilde taken during his time at Magdalen College, Oxford sold for £4200 (plus 22% buyer’s premium) at a Dominic Winter auction.

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