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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Mary Queen of Scots medal is among five lots to watch

13 July 2026

With estimates from £250, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week

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Top stories this week including Wartski selling a major highlight from its stand at Treasure House Fair

12 July 2026

The most read stories on this website over the last week included news of dealer Wartski selling a Nicholas Hilliard cabinet miniature at the Treasure House Fair

Alfies

Photo special: Alfies Antique Market 50th birthday party

10 July 2026

Marylebone antiques centre celebrates 50 years in business

Heraldic beasts

Heraldic beasts stir competition at Bonhams

10 July 2026

Among the most eagerly contested lots at Bonhams’ latest sale of Fine Decorative Arts held in Bond Street was this set of four English heraldic beasts c.1600.

Parliament picture

Parliamentary proceedings as dealer snaps up 'seminal document' at auction

10 July 2026

A “seminal document of Parliamentary history” has been purchased at auction by dealership Philip Mould & Company for a hammer price of £62,000.

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Event that challenges the traditional fairs model travels to Texas for first US edition

10 July 2026

Event organiser Mariette & Co is launching the first international iteration of its Trois Crayons Drawings Hub in the United States this autumn.

Paul Sarrut drawing

Auction buys and dealer purchases help army museum to stage Indian soldier show

10 July 2026

The National Army Museum’s exhibition, Drawn on the Western Front, showcases a series of recent works on paper acquisitions as well as its new medals partnership with Lord Ashcroft.

‘Real tennis’ racquet

Racquet wielded by ‘champion of the world’

10 July 2026

A ‘real tennis’ racquet dating from the reign of King Louis XV of France, used by the first of the great players whose achievements are on record, is being served up at auction.

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Bidders drawn to extensive single-owner offering of vintage carriages and kit

10 July 2026

After moving to a farm at Cropton, North Yorkshire, over the next 25 years Ian David Smith assembled an extensive private collection of horse-drawn vehicles and associated items.

Thomas Gainsborough's landscape with donkeys

Fitzwilliam Museum buys early Thomas Gainsborough drawing at auction

10 July 2026

A drawing from the early part of Thomas Gainsborough's (1727-88) career, dating from 1748 when the artist was 20 years old, sold to the Fitzwilliam Museum at Cheffins' latest fine art sale.

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Third time at Frieze Masters

10 July 2026

As early details about this year’s Frieze Masters have been released, dealers have also started sharing some key pieces of stock they will have on show.

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Mystery Beatrix Potter teapot merchandise may have been made in Germany

10 July 2026

Beatrix Potter was a pioneer of character merchandising. Two years after the publication of the first of her ‘little books’ she designed, fabricated and patented her own Peter Rabbit stuffed toy in 1903 – making him the first ever licensed character.*

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Snacks not meals on wheels served up by a vendor cart

10 July 2026

This bespoke 19th century fairground steam-powered confectioner’s vendor cart, to make ice cream and popcorn, tempted bidders at John Rolfe (20% buyer’s premium) in Tetbury, Gloucestershire.

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Yorkshire saleroom puts special focus on Mouseman and Critters

10 July 2026

Dedicated anniversary sale devoted to Robert Thompson centres on three private collections

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Cricketer, architect then an artist is the focus of Chris Beetles' latest show

10 July 2026

This watercolour by Herbert Menzies Marshall (1841-1913) showing Ludgate Hill, London, is among the items on sale at Chris Beetles Gallery’s Summer Exhibition.

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How 100 objects tell the story of the suffrage movement

10 July 2026

One of the most poignant images in suffrage historian and dealer Elizabeth Crawford’s latest book, 'The British Women’s Suffrage Movement in 100 Objects', is a lily carried by Agnes Kelly at the funeral in 1913 of Emily Wilding Davison – who famously was killed as she stepped in front of the king’s horse on Derby Day that year.

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Premises with an antiques past

10 July 2026

Southwold shop moves to Suffolk site nearby where another dealer had traded for 35 years

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Classic now heads to north-west

10 July 2026

Two fairs in Birmingham are joined by new Greater Manchester event before another in Scotland

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Car worker made a bumper metal detecting find with a £17,000 gold ring

10 July 2026

An Elizabethan or early Stuart diamond cluster gold ring found in Wormington, Gloucestershire, in November 2024 was among 14 metal detected jewels offered at Noonans (24% buyer’s premium) in Mayfair.

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Victorian clock on offer adorned a Sri Lankan lighthouse

10 July 2026

Clockmaker Brockbank & Atkins of St John’s Square, Clerkenwell, was known as a supplier of mahogany and silvered brass eight-day wall clocks for lighthouses.

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