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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Bidding fuelled by a big oil dispenser

05 June 2026

This Carless, Capel and Leonard London forecourt oil dispenser cabinet rubbed bidders up the right way at The Aladdin’s Garage: A Private Collection of Petroliana, Automobilia and Advertising Signs sale.

A silver sugar or spice box

Connoisseur’s collection comes to the market for the first time in decades

05 June 2026

A true connoisseur’s collection of early silver greeted those who viewed the Woolley & Wallis (27/26% buyer’s premium) Fine Silver & Objects of Vertu sale in Salisbury on April 28-29.

Edwardian kangaroo scent bottle

Novelty appeals to the ‘unconventional mind’

05 June 2026

As pre-sale Instagram posts go, the promo for the auction at Martel Maides (20% buyer’s premium) in St Peter Port, Guernsey, on May 1 was inspired.

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Swiss watch swings it for Dunhill price

05 June 2026

The Dunhill ‘Unique’ B lighter, along with its smaller-sized sibling, was introduced into the firm’s line in the late 1920s.

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‘My favourite fair of the year, the vibe here is awesome’

05 June 2026

Spontaneous purchases and new clients contribute to a successful three-day run at Petworth

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.

Ilminster Ring

Roman gold ring discovered by metal detectorist to go on show at Somerset museum after purchase

04 June 2026

A rare Roman gold ring, discovered alongside a hoard of coins, has been purchased by the South West Heritage Trust.

Dealer Ian Towning

Ian Towning closes Chelsea antiques shop

04 June 2026

Antiques jewellery dealer Ian Towning and partner and co-owner Les Barrett have decided to close their shop in Chelsea after nearly 30 years.

John Constable drawing

Constable drawings rediscovered in a German auction head to Classic Art London

03 June 2026

Five rediscovered drawings by John Constable (1776-1837) will be offered at Classic Art London this summer after a London dealer spotted them in a German auction.

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

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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Fire safety rule change set to make furniture sales easier

29 May 2026

Government plans for new fire safety regulations could simplify the rules for the resale of second-hand and vintage upholstered furniture in the UK.

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Cotswolds firm Trinity House Paintings placed in compulsory liquidation

29 May 2026

Art dealership Trinity House Paintings has been placed in compulsory liquidation. It went into administration with significant debts in 2023 and that period ended on May 1.

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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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