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

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Pick of the week: An artwork of great propaganda value

21 October 2019

“Germany calling, Germany calling” were the chilling opening words spoken by the upper-class British accent of William Joyce – Lord Haw Haw – and other presenters in propaganda radio broadcasts from Nazi Germany during the Second World War.

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Anyone for Sphairistike? Net gains for tennis rarities

21 October 2019

Sphairistike, an ancient Greek term meaning skill in playing at ball, was the name Major Walter Wingfield chose for the game he patented and first advertised early in 1874.

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Ivory Act: expect result of court review next month

21 October 2019

Dealers and collectors who last week brought a judicial review of the Ivory Act 2018 must wait until November for judgment in the case.

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First days of the Spurs

21 October 2019

The earliest days of Tottenham Hotspur FC are revealed in a remarkable hand-written ledger coming up at auction in a November 4-5 London sale.

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Country house view ahead of Rockingham collection sale

21 October 2019

A large collection of Rockingham porcelain will be on display at Wentworth Woodhouse next month ahead of its sale at auction. The Rowley collection, numbering 120 lots, was assembled by a collector hailing from Sprotborough, Doncaster, who now lives in Buckinghamshire.

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Unknown portrait of British naval hero Nelson is discovered by auctioneer Charles Miller

21 October 2019

A hitherto unknown portrait of Nelson has been discovered and will be offered at auction on November 5.

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The ‘very prosy’ Miss Strickland

21 October 2019

Diaries, journals and letters kept by Lady Anne Cullum (1807-95) of Hardwick House, near Bury St Edmunds, sold for a total of around £8000 in a recent East Anglian auction.

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Story time - objects with a compelling tale

21 October 2019

A wealth of objects shelter under the great ‘Asian art’ umbrella – together representing five millennia of artistic endeavour across one quarter of the globe. Here we preview a series of Asian art objects available for sale at galleries and auctions over the next month, and each from a different moment in time or geography. From the cult of Monju to the beginning of a new Japanese imperial era – all tell a compelling tale.

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All in good taste: Bernard Quaritch new premises

21 October 2019

Bernard Quaritch marked the opening of its Bedford Row premises last week with a red velvet cake in the shape of the new shop.

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Games make serious money

21 October 2019

Offered at a recent sale at Mullock’s in Ludlow were three early-19th century games pitched at £150-200 apiece but sold at much higher sums.

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Fairs fend off the fear factor

21 October 2019

Despite the uncertainty, Frieze Week dealers enjoyed an enthusiastic response from buyers.

The evolving world of Asian Art

21 October 2019

For 22 years Asian Art in London has promoted the wide range of specialist auctions, dealer exhibitions, symposia and lectures held in the capital and further afield across 10 autumnal days. Together they spotlight the UK as a repository and a centre of expertise for the finest Asian art.

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News in Brief – including an export block for a Joseph Wright of Derby

21 October 2019

A round-up of art and antiques news from the previous seven days, including an export block for a Joseph Wright of Derby.

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Ornithological auction flyers from renowned masters

21 October 2019

Two modestly estimated watercolours by the Victorian ornithological painter Archibald Thorburn (1860-1935) emerged as the star sellers in an auction in South Yorkshire.

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Laying down Anglo-Saxon laws

21 October 2019

A first portion of the library of the late Eric Gerald Stanley, a professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford University, featured in a recent auction at Mallams.

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A serious business

21 October 2019

“From our dealers’ viewpoint the important factor is that the kind of people now attracted to our antiques fair are serious collectors and it’s rare that anyone leaves without making some significant purchases.”

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A beautiful Boccaccio binding

21 October 2019

‘Grolieresque’ cover on 1527 edition of key Italian Renaissance work boosts auction value.

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Opening times - Satsuma wares

21 October 2019

The history of Satsuma wares, among the most recognised and profitable export products of the Meiji period, is interwoven with the opening up of Japan after centuries of isolation.

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Tight fit for a time in London

21 October 2019

Renovations at hotel venue mean Etc Fairs will have a smaller space but only for a short while.

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And the nominees are...

21 October 2019

Every year Asian Art in London presents two awards for the most outstanding work of art: one for an item offered by a dealer, the other for a work offered by an auction house. The awards are co-sponsored by Antiques Trade Gazette and Apollo magazine.

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