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

1927 Christmas card from Bentley Motors

Motoring memorabilia originally owned by Bentley’s founder to be exhibited at Bonhams in London

21 March 2019

For just one day in April, Bonhams New Bond Street saleroom will host an exhibition in celebration of the centenary of the legendary car marque Bentley.

Philip Mould and Fiona Bruce

Fake or Fortune? to return to TV screens this year for eighth series with art sleuths Philip Mould and Fiona Bruce

21 March 2019

Filming is underway for the latest episodes of the BBC’s 'Fake or Fortune?' which is scheduled to return to TV screens later this year.

The queen

The queen with her eyes closed, Kate Moss on a lingerie shoot and Bill Nighy in his underwear – three portraits at Sotheby’s Made in Britain auction

20 March 2019

Sotheby's March 20 Made in Britain auction featured a selection of paintings, works on paper, prints, photography, contemporary and studio ceramics and design by British artists. Among the photographs were unusual images of the queen, fashion model Kate Moss and actor Bill Nighy.

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Bamfords' James Lewis aims for Guinness Book of Records with marathon charity auction

20 March 2019

James Lewis, founder and director of Bamfords auctioneers in Derbyshire, will attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for the longest continuous auction taken by a single auctioneer, in aid of wildlife charities.

John Tunnard's 'Brandis 1944'

Sale of art owned by Hertfordshire County Council to go ahead despite protest

20 March 2019

Hertfordshire County Council is going ahead with the auction of artworks from its collection this week despite the launch of a petition to ‘save’ it from being dispersed.

Fallenn Madonna

Famous ‘Fallen Madonna With The Big Boobies’ painting from 1980s comedy ‘Allo ‘Allo ‘returns’ to France

20 March 2019

The successful buyer at auction of the ‘Fallen Madonna With The Big Boobies’ - the prop that was a running joke in the 1980s sitcom ‘Allo ‘Allo - has taken the painting to his home in France.

Dalí lamps

Salvador Dalí’s surrealist ‘champagne’ lamps designed for West Sussex home bought by V&A Museum

19 March 2019

A pair of ‘champagne’ lamps designed by surrealist artist Salvador Dalí has been bought by the Victoria and Albert Museum and will be reunited with Dalí’s Mae West Lips sofa.

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Berlin Wall fragments sell in West Sussex auction

19 March 2019

Two fragments of the Berlin Wall once used in a memorial to those killed in escape attempts sold for a combined hammer total of £17,000 at an auction in West Sussex last week.

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Daphne Du Maurier archive for auction in Ely features unseen photos of young Queen Elizabeth II

19 March 2019

She wrote two of the 20th century’s great masterpieces of fiction. Now on the 30th anniversary of her death, letters and photos relating to ‘Rebecca’ and ‘Jamaica Inn’ author Daphne du Maurier will go under the hammer at an Ely auction house.

Cherokee chief

Rare Native American pictures by George Catlin come to auction in London

19 March 2019

A collection of watercolours, drawings and letters by American painter George Catlin (1796-1872) will be offered at Forum Auctions next week.

Bean

Beans means bucks at auction – Heinz forks out on 18ct gold baked bean

18 March 2019

Beans manufacturer Heinz has paid a hammer price of £750 at auction for a special issue 18ct gold baked bean.

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Pick of the week: Rarities point to the mystery Compass factory

18 March 2019

Three models from an English porcelain factory about which almost nothing is known surfaced for sale in East Sussex last week.

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Candlestand bought at auction reunited with pair at York museum after half a century apart

18 March 2019

A pair of rare George II rosewood candlestands c.1745-60 has been reunited by Fairfax House in York after one of them was spotted at a Woolley & Wallis auction at the start of the year.

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The £14,000 folk art shop display certainly worth a butcher’s

18 March 2019

The exact function of carved and painted wood butcher’s shop dioramas is uncertain.

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Ice pick carried by geologist on Captain Scott's South Pole expedition sells for £22,000 at Cambridge auction

18 March 2019

The ice pick carried by geologist Frank Debenham (1883-1965) during the doomed Terra Nova British Antarctic Expedition of 1910-13 sold for £22,000 (plus buyer’s premium) at Cheffins earlier this month. The estimate was just £200-400.

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Viscountess Astor’s aquamarine jewel sparkles in Newbury

18 March 2019

An impressive Edwardian aquamarine and diamond brooch with a provenance to the first lady to take her seat as an MP in the UK sold for £54,000 (plus 25% buyer’s premium) at auction this month.

ATG letter: A Clarice Cliff book to remember

18 March 2019

MADAM – It was good to see Clarice Cliff featured in ATG No 2383. As mentioned, the pottery has had its ups and downs over the years and in any case ‘Clarice’ has always been a little ‘Marmite’.

Dulwich school

The Midcentury Modern fair in Dulwich is ageing well: a picture special

18 March 2019

If anyone doubted the continuing popularity of Scandinavian mid-century design, a visit to the Midcentury Modern fair at Dulwich College, London would set them straight. ATG went along to take the temperature among dealers and buyers.

Mike Vitale and Adam Pye

John Pye expands, marathon man Terry Woodcock, Phillips in California and new tech for Dix Noonan Webb – a selection of the latest news from across the auction houses

18 March 2019

John Pye Auctions will expand its Nottingham headquarters with two new salerooms – taking its total to nine.

Dolls house

Six lots to watch at auction this week including a dolls house, 200 halfcrowns and a Gallé vase

18 March 2019

With estimates from £400-8000, here are six previews from upcoming sales this week.

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