Best Auction Houses & Dealers in the United Kingdom
Discover leading UK auction houses and antique dealers in London, Edinburgh, and beyond. Compare services, fees, and specialties.
The British Auction Tradition
The United Kingdom is the birthplace of the modern auction industry. Sotheby's was founded in London in 1744, and Christie's followed in 1766 — together they created the template that auction houses worldwide still follow. Today, London remains one of the two most important auction centers in the world, alongside New York.
Beyond the global giants, Britain's auction landscape is remarkably rich and varied. Regional houses like Woolley and Wallis (Salisbury), Dreweatts (Newbury), Lyon & Turnbull (Edinburgh), and Tennants (Yorkshire) serve their communities with deep expertise in everything from Old Masters to country house contents. Many of these regional houses have histories stretching back over a century.
The UK market is particularly strong in British art, antique silver, fine ceramics (especially Royal Worcester and Wedgwood), vintage jewelry, rare books, and classic British sporting memorabilia. London's specialist dealers — concentrated in areas like Mayfair, St James's, and Kensington — offer some of the world's finest curated inventories.
For international buyers, the UK offers favorable conditions: a well-regulated market, transparent fee structures, and excellent global shipping infrastructure. Buyer's premiums are typically 25-30% at the major houses, with lower rates at regional salerooms.
Chiswick Auctions
Auction HouseA dynamic London auction house with acclaimed Asian Art and Islamic Art departments, holding over 170 sales per year.
Gorringes
Auction HouseA respected Sussex auction house with roots in the 1920s, offering fine art, antiques, jewelry, and specialist collectors' sales.
Mellors & Kirk
Auction HouseA leading Midlands fine art auctioneer in Nottingham, known for antiques, jewelry, and regular specialist sales.
Propstore
Auction HouseThe world's leading auction house for original movie props, costumes, and entertainment memorabilia.
Spink & Son
Auction HouseOne of the world's oldest auction houses, specializing in coins, stamps, medals, and banknotes since 1666.
Tennants Auctioneers
Auction HouseThe UK's largest family-owned fine art auctioneers, based in the Yorkshire Dales with 27 specialist departments.
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the-saleroom
DealerThe UK's largest online auction platform, connecting bidders with 700+ British and European auction houses.
Toovey's
Auction HouseA leading Sussex auctioneer specializing in fine art, antiques, books, and specialist collectors' categories since 1995.
Christie's
Auction HouseThe world's leading auction house, selling art and luxury since 1766.
Bonhams
Auction HouseA global auction house known for motor cars, Asian art, and specialist categories.
Phillips
Auction HouseThe contemporary specialist — 20th and 21st century art, design, and watches.
Watches of Knightsbridge
Auction HouseLondon specialist watch auctioneer offering accessible price points since 2012.
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Fellows
Auction HouseOne of the UK's largest jewelry and watch auctioneers, est. 1876 in Birmingham.
Woolley and Wallis
Auction HouseSalisbury-based English auction house with international expertise in Asian art.
Lyon & Turnbull
Auction HouseScotland's oldest auction house, now part of the Freeman's | Hindman network.
Dreweatts
Auction HouseHistoric English auction house at Donnington Priory, specializing in fine art and interiors.
BADA (British Antique Dealers' Association)
DealerThe UK's oldest trade body for vetted antique and fine art dealers, est. 1918.
LAPADA
DealerThe UK's largest association of professional art and antiques dealers, 550+ members.
Wartski
DealerThe world's leading Fabergé dealer and Royal jewellers since 1865.
Hancocks London
DealerHistoric London jewellers and sole makers of the Victoria Cross since 1849.
Bernard Quaritch
DealerThe world's oldest and most distinguished antiquarian bookseller, est. 1847.
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