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

Pier Francesco Mola drawing

Christie’s sale of works from London dealer Stephen Ongpin raises £2.51m

08 July 2026

A work on paper by Italian Baroque artist Pier Francesco Mola (1612-66) was among the lots bringing demand at Christie’s sale of works from London dealer Stephen Ongpin.

2752PV Canterbury Emily And Bagpuss

Largest collection of artworks by illustrator of Bagpuss, Ivor the Engine and The Clangers comes to auction in Canterbury

08 July 2026

Around 500 original artworks by Peter Firmin (1928-2018) – creator of Bagpuss, Noggin the Nog, Ivor the Engine, The Clangers, Basil Brush and many other TV favourites – have been uncovered at the artist’s home in Kent where the family have lived since 1959.

A portrait of a naval officer by Henry Raeburn

Rediscovered Henry Raeburn portrait brings competition in Cambridge auction

07 July 2026

A previously unrecorded painting by Sir Henry Raeburn (1756-1823) that “slipped through the net of all scholars” led the latest fine art sale held by Cambridge saleroom Cheffins (25% buyer’s premium).

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Alec Guinness’s copy of Hamlet is among six lots to watch

06 July 2026

With estimates from £100, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week

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Miniature work but a massive result at Treasure House Fair

03 July 2026

Just a few hours after the Treasure House Fair opened to the public, London jeweller Wartski announced the sale of a major highlight from its stand.

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The Waterloo Elm survives in furniture form

03 July 2026

A collector’s cabinet sold by Woolley & Wallis in Salisbury on June 30-July 1 was from a small group of furnishings fashioned from the Waterloo Elm.

Secretaire chest of four drawers

'Textbook' chest of drawers makes for a worthwhile journey from Malta

03 July 2026

Maltese furniture was largely overlooked in the 1960s and 70s.

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Southerners illuminated by the northern highlights

03 July 2026

The prime minister-in-waiting, Andy Burnham, is planning to move parts of Downing Street’s operation to Manchester in a move to devolve power out of London, and a push to the city where he was formerly mayor (of Greater Manchester). One of the UK’s most visited shopping destinations for its many vintage shops, here are a few possible temptations in and around Manchester for Downing Street’s finest.

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Traders and buyers praise the atmosphere at Newmarket’s popular antiques fair

03 July 2026

More than 200 traders descended on the local racecourse for the Newmarket Antiques & Collectors Fair, which has been running for over 20 years.

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Cadell fans figure out the added appeal of this Scottish Colourist

03 July 2026

Paintings of elegantly attired female figures hold a special place in the oeuvre of the Scottish Colourist Francis Campbell Boileau Cadell (1883-1937).

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The Glasgow slums revealed by a pioneering photographer

03 July 2026

Thomas Annan’s famous book is now rated as ‘one of the finest photographic works of the 19th century’

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A whisker away from destruction: Louis Wain works emerge from a skip

03 July 2026

While cats might occasionally be seen prowling round a skip, it’s much rarer to spot a painting in such a location by, yes you guessed it, the feline fan’s favourite Louis Wain (1860-1939).

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Striking sitter captures the attention in Brockhurst portrait

03 July 2026

A typically enigmatic portrait by Gerald Leslie Brockhurst (1890-1978) attracted interest at a recent sale at Lawrences (25 buyer’s premium) of Crewkerne in Somerset.

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Not tiresome at all for a book fest

03 July 2026

While Jane Austen thought Bath to be wearying after six weeks, a two-day fair will keep visitors enthralled

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Morris designs inspired by museum visits are among highlights in bumper Gloucestershire sale

03 July 2026

In 1862, just a year after the founding of the Morris, Marshall & Faulkner Company at Red Lion Square, a circular was sent to prospective clients to announce the ‘revival of the art of painting on china tiles’.

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Hill House comes home to Kensington

03 July 2026

Hill House Antiques & Decorative Arts is returning to Kensington after two years away.

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William De Morgan ships come sailing in

03 July 2026

A pair of William De Morgan ruby lustre four tile panels, each measuring 2ft 4in x 8in (70 x 19cm) and depicting galleons in full sail with fish swimming in sea, sold on the top estimate of £6000 at Martel Maides (20% buyer’s premium) in St Peter Port, Guernsey, on June 11.

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Martin Brothers birds at the double in salerooms

03 July 2026

Two small single-owner collections of Martin Brothers stoneware were offered in June: one at Catherine Southon (27.6% buyer’s premium inc VAT) in Chislehurst, Kent, on June 17, the other as part of the Charterhouse (25% buyer’s premium) June 25 sale in Sherborne, Dorset.

The Hamilton Laocoön

‘A singular miracle in art’: The Hamilton Laocoön generates extraordinary demand at Sotheby’s

02 July 2026

A remarkable bronze cast of one of the most revered ancient sculptures, Laocoön and His Sons, drew fierce bidding at Sotheby’s on July 1 and led the latest round of ‘Classic art’ sales in London.

Wuthering Heights first edition

Auction record for 19th century literature as Brontë sisters' book in rare cloth binding emerges

02 July 2026

An 1847 first edition of Emily Brontë’s 'Wuthering Heights' (together with 'Agnes Grey' by Anne Brontë) sold for £950,000 at Christie’s on June 30.

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