Stories

Art Deco was an international style as opposed to a movement. It was not based on a coherent framework or manifesto, but rather reflected the spirit of the age with shared influences.

Defining Art Deco

13 June 2025

The Art Edit: Affordable Art at Auction in Edinburgh and Online

The Art Edit is delighted to present paintings, drawings and prints by William McCance and his circle. All works come from the Artist’s Estate and have never before appeared on the market.

Works From the Estate of William McCance

9 June 2025

Created at an important moment in history, 10 original paintings were commissioned by publishers Hemchander Bharagava & Co of Delhi to form part of a dramatic biographical poster of Ghandi’s life.

Discovery of Original Paintings Commissioned for Poster of Mahatma Ghandi's Life

6 June 2025

We are delighted to announce our newest sale, 1925: Celebrating Art Deco, to mark the centenary of the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes.

Presenting '1925: Celebrating Art Deco'

2 June 2025

Rare Books

Kilravock Castle Archive: A Chronicle of Highland Heritage

2 June 2025

The first section of the Kilravock Castle archive was presented for sale in June 2025 and reached over £124,000

Enjoy a virtual tour through our Edinburgh saleroom of our June 2025 Scottish Paintings & Sculpture auction.

Enjoy a Virtual Tour

1 June 2025

Books & Manuscripts

Roald Dahl’s Sketches of Childhood

31 May 2025

An unprecedented collection of original drawings by the best-loved children’s author in the English language achieved £23,940 in our June 2025 auction of Books & Manuscripts.

This rare Iznik tile from a palatial bath house or hamam built by Barbarossa, the Admiral of the Ottoman Empire in the 16th Century, was a lead highlight in our 11 June auction of Islamic & Indian Art.

A Rare Iznik Tile from the 'Cinili Hamam' sells for £243,950

30 May 2025

We are delighted to include a fine selection of landscapes and still-lifes from the doyenne of post-Second World War Scottish painting, Anne Redpath, in our 5th June flagship Scottish Paintings & Sculpture auction.

Anne Redpath: A Daughter of the Scottish Borders

22 May 2025

Mapping Joan Eardley's movements and relationships throughout her life, our 05 June flagship Scottish Paintings & Sculpture auction featured both fine works of her best known subjects to less common, but equally significant examples.

Joan Eardley: The Deep Importance of People & Place

22 May 2025

The bold and colourful designs of Peter Plöderl make up the group of show-stopping pieces from a private collection (Lots 111 - 129) featuring in this June's Jewellery auction in Edinburgh.

A Private Collection of Jewels by Peter Plöderl

21 May 2025

This June, our Scottish Paintings & Sculpture auction features an excellent range of works by the Scottish Colourist George Leslie Hunter, including a fine selection from his time in Fife in eastern Scotland.

A Scottish Colourist in Fife: George Leslie Hunter & Largo

20 May 2025

We are delighted to include one of the most significant paintings to have resulted from the Scottish Colourist F. C. B. Cadell’s breakthrough trip to Venice in our flagship auction of Scottish Paintings & Sculpture this June.

To Venice with F.C.B. Cadell

19 May 2025

Studio & Contemporary Glass

What Is Studio Glass? A History of a Modern Art Movement

19 May 2025

Emerging in the mid-20th century, the Studio Glass movement transformed glass from a material of function and ornament into a powerful medium for artistic expression.

John Maclauchlan Milne's French landscapes and seascapes chart his travels, from Paris to the Côte d'Azur.

John Maclauchlan Milne: From Dundee to the South of France

16 May 2025

Charles Baird (20 December 1766 – 10 December 1843), was a Scottish engineer who made his name in Russia at the turn of the 19th century.

The Scot Who Powered Russia’s Industrial Revolution

16 May 2025

When examining the history of carved gems, cameos and intaglios are frequently researched together. This is a natural pairing, as the two forms of gem engraving are visual inverses.

Cameos vs Intaglios | Exploring the History of Carved Gems

16 May 2025

Five Centuries

Enjoy a Virtual Tour | Five Centuries | May 2025

8 May 2025

Enjoy a virtual tour through our Edinburgh saleroom of our May 2025 Five Centuries auction.

RUGS & CARPETS

The Winton Castle Indian Carpet

5 May 2025

The Winton Castle Indian Carpet is the largest hand-woven carpet in Scotland to be offered at auction on 15 May 2025.

Asian Art

A History in the Palm of Your Hand

5 May 2025

Discover the evolution of Chinese tea and wine cups—from Tang dynasty polychromes to Qing porcelain—celebrating centuries of craftsmanship, culture, and artistic innovation in ceramic design.

WATCHES

From the Trench to the Auction House: Military Watches

5 May 2025

Explore the fascinating history of military wristwatches, from WWI trench watches to the iconic Rolex MilSub, and discover why these rare timepieces are now highly sought-after collector’s items.

Study of a Girl's Head is a newly confirmed work by Gaetano Gandolfi (1734-1802)

Gaetano Gandolfi | A Newly Discovered Work

4 May 2025

Mall Galleries

Enjoy a Tour of the Mall Galleries | Spring 2025

30 April 2025

Enjoy a virtual tour of Travel & Vintage Posters, Lalique, MODERN MADE auctions, held twice yearly in the Mall Galleries.

Natural History

Top 7 Most Collectible Fossils: A Guide for Collectors and Enthusiasts

30 April 2025

Fossils offer a rare and tangible connection to prehistoric life, preserving the remains of ancient creatures and plants that lived millions of years ago.

posters

The Lost Posters of Dr Hans Sachs: A Legacy Rediscovered

17 April 2025

Discover the remarkable story of Dr Hans Sachs’ lost poster collection—seized by the Gestapo, rediscovered decades later.

Head of Jewellery, London, Sarah Duncan shares her thoughts on what's behind the “curtain” or more accurately behind the workshop door, in the lead up to our unique Cartier Curated auction.

Behind the Cartier Curtain

17 April 2025

Head of Watches Charles Tearle shares his experience with the timeless designs and impressive craftsmanship of Cartier watches throughout his career, in the lead up to our unique Cartier Curated auction.

Timeless Design

17 April 2025

Gillian Raffles played a vital role in establishing Henri Gaudier-Brzeska as a key figure in early twentieth-century British art.

An Artist's Champion: Gillian Raffles & Henri Gaudier-Brzeska

16 April 2025

John Chambers was a Professor of Clinical Cardiology who combined life-long passions for medicine and art.

The Collection of Professor John Chambers

16 April 2025

Freelance writer and editor and founder of the weekly watches newsletter The Fourth Wheel, Chris Hall, shares his insights into collecting Cartier watches ahead of our unique Cartier Curated auction.

Watching Cartier

15 April 2025

Contemporary Silver

Jocelyn Burton (1946-2020): The Maverick Silversmith Who Reforged Tradition

15 April 2025

Jocelyn Burton was a pioneering British silversmith and goldsmith, celebrated for her bold designs and mastery of precious metals. Often working from intricate preliminary drawings, her work is a technical masterclass in design and craftsmanship.

In the lead up to our Cartier Curated auction, Former director of London Precious Stone Laboratory Eric Emms FGA DGA shares his knowledge of the history of Cartier's use of gems, looking at some of the most well known pieces created by the maison.

Cartier & Gems

14 April 2025

Our friends April Matteini and Dianne Batista from our sister auction house, Freeman’s Hindman, share their recent experience with Cartier jewels at auction with our Head of Jewellery, London, Sarah Duncan.

Cartier Across the Pond: A Recent Auction Focus

14 April 2025

DESIGN Since 1860

Enjoy a Virtual Tour | DESIGN Since 1860

11 April 2025

Go on a virtual tour of our 16 & 17 April 2025 DESIGN Since 1860 taking place live in Edinburgh & online.

Join Rachael Taylor, Jewellery Editor, Author & Speaker as she discusses her book, 'Cartier: The Story Behind the Style'.

Rediscovering Cartier

9 April 2025

Lalique

René Lalique Crucifixes

8 April 2025

The crucifixes by René Lalique in our May 2025 auction were designed between 1930 and 1943 and belong to a period when Lalique was undertaking ecclesiastical work.

We were delighted to present L.S. Lowry's 'Going to the Mill' at auction in London on 02 May 2025.

L.S. Lowry's Going to the Mill | An Early Work Direct from the Artist

8 April 2025

SCOTTISH ART & DESIGN

Charles Rennie Mackintosh from Scotland to France

7 April 2025

We were proud to present a collection of works by European polymath Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868-1928) in our April 2025 Design Since 1860 auction.

Joel Arthur Rosenthal, better known as JAR, is one of the most celebrated yet elusive contemporary jewellers. We are delighted to present a pair of flower earclips in our April 2025 London Jewellery auction.

Jewellery by JAR

4 April 2025

Asian Art

Join Us | Phone Bidders | Asian Art

3 April 2025

We are looking for Chinese-speaking telephone bidders for our Asian Works of Art auction.

This April's Design Since 1860 auction features a selection of works from the Estate of Merle Taylor - a snapshot into the lives of Jessie M. King and Ernest Archibald Taylor and their family.

A Look into the Lives of Jessie M. King and E.A. Taylor

2 April 2025

Gillian Raffles at Mercury Gallery in London

Gillian Raffles was one of a very small number of pioneering woman gallerists in London’s post-war art scene. In May 2025, we were proud to offer the first part of her private collection of artworks in MODERN MADE in London.

Gillian Raffles : Pioneering Gallerist

1 April 2025

We are delighted to present the 'St Cecilia' Tapestry designed by Sir Edward Burne-Jones and John Henry Dearle for Morris & Co.

The Morris & Co. 'St Cecilia' Tapestry

31 March 2025

CONTEMPORARY ART

Enjoy a Virtual Tour | Contemporary Art ft The Jamieson Collection: Works by John 'Patrick' Byrne

30 March 2025

Enjoy a virtual tour through our Edinburgh saleroom of our April 2025 Contemporary Art auction.

Arms & Armour

Arms & Armour as Objects of Art

30 March 2025

Although thankfully for most of us arms and armour do not play an active part in modern day to day life, this is not a statement that is true of many past generations.

Collecting Meteorites | A Guide for New Buyers

Natural History

Why Collect Meteorites | A Guide for New Buyers

27 March 2025

Meteorites are among the rarest and most fascinating objects on Earth. These extraterrestrial rocks are real fragments of space that have travelled millions of miles through the solar system before landing on our planet.

Prints & Multiples

Robert Polhill Bevan: A Master Printmaker

18 March 2025

We are delighted to present a group of eight lithographs by Robert Polhill Bevan, which come from the Artist’s Estate and thence by descent to the present owner, in our Prints & Multiples sale of 26 March 2025.

Go on a virtual tour of our 19 March 2025 Makers & Creators: Selected Works from the Hugo Burge Collection auction.

Enjoy a Virtual Tour | Makers & Creators: Selected Works from the Hugo Burge Collection

14 March 2025

Contemporary Art

Capturing the Zeitgeist : John Byrne's 'Patrick' Era

11 March 2025

This Spring we were proud to the finest group of early works by iconic artist John Byrne to have been seen on the market before. The collection was 100% sold and fetched over £90,000.

PROFESSIONAL VALUATION SERVICES

Facts of The Ivory Act

10 March 2025

The Ivory Act, passed in 2018 and enacted in 2022, severely restricts the sale of items made from elephant ivory. After a consultation, UK Government ministers have decided in May 2023 to tighten the ban.

JEWELLERY

The Cartier Red Box

10 March 2025

The Cartier red box is a symbol of luxury, its rich red hue and gold garland design instantly recognisable. Since the 1900s, it has evolved alongside Cartier’s craftsmanship and remains a timeless emblem of elegance, coveted by collectors.

Join Head of Watches Charles Tearle as he discusses his career in the luxury watch industry, the evolution of the market and insuring luxury vintage watches.

It's About Time: Valuing Vintage Watches

3 March 2025

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn | The Three Trees

PRIVATE COLLECTIONS

Rembrandt's 'The Three Trees'

3 March 2025

'The Three Trees' is Rembrandt’s largest and most elaborate landscape etching and is considered a masterpiece within his oeuvre.

Antiquities

Relics of Power: Early Bronze Age Battle Axes

28 February 2025

The most significant weapons of Early Bronze Age Europe were not forged from metal but shaped from stone. These remarkable artefacts, in use for over a millennium, were wielded by peoples across a vast expanse from the Baltic to the Atlantic.

PRIVATE COLLECTIONS

'Vine and Acanthus' by William Morris

26 February 2025

In March 2025, we were delighted to present a beautifully composed 'Vine and Acanthus' embroidered panel within the Makers & Creators: Selected Works from the Hugo Burge Collection auction.

Silver

Understanding the Value of Sterling Silver vs. Britannia Silver

26 February 2025

When it comes to collecting silver at auction, understanding the differences between Sterling Silver and Britannia Silver is essential.

Hugo Burge (1972-2023) always wanted to leave a ‘dent in the universe’: to create an impression that changed and improved the world. We are proud to present 'Makers & Creators: Selected Works from the Hugo Burge Collection'.

Hugo Burge: Maker & Creator

25 February 2025

Silver & Objets de Vertu

The Fiona Buchanan Indian Silver Collection

24 February 2025

We are delighted to offer a collection of 19th and early 20th-century Indian silver composed over the last twenty years by Fiona Buchanan in our March 2025 auction of Silver & Objets de Vertu.

Five Centuries

Enjoy a Virtual Tour | Five Centuries | February 2025

14 February 2025

Enjoy a virtual tour through our Edinburgh saleroom of our February 2025 Five Centuries auction.

Join Head of Sale Chantal de Prez as she takes a closer look at '10 Scottish Artists You Should Know'.

10 Scottish Artists You Should Know

4 February 2025

We are delighted to present Rosy and Johnny of MacAulay MacAulay Interiors' five favourite lots in our forthcoming February 2025 edition of The Art Edit.

Designing Interiors with The Art Edit

30 January 2025

EUROPEAN ART & OLD MASTERS

Edward Lear | Works From the Mary Ann Streeter Collection

30 January 2025

Born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts, USA Mary Ann Streeter was exposed to art at an early age.

Ceramics & Glass

The Maisels Collection of British Ceramics

29 January 2025

We were delighted to present The Maisels Collection of British Ceramics Part II in our February 2025 Five Centuries auction, amassed over a forty-year period by Catriona and David Maisels.

Discover the story of the Cartier Love Bracelet, designed by Aldo Cipullo in 1969. Born from heartbreak, this timeless symbol of love blends jewellery and industry with its screwhead design.

From Heartbreak to Everlasting Love: The Creation of the Cartier Love Bracelet

24 January 2025

Looking back on our 2024 season of Jewellery auctions that took place across the UK, our Jewellery team has selected a few of their favourite pieces.

Our Jewellery Team's Favourite Lots of 2024

23 January 2025

Rare Books

The Murrays of Dollerie: A Scottish Family Library

23 January 2025

This February, we are delighted to include a selection of 70 lots from the library at Dollerie, the home of Murrays of Dollerie, in our Books & Manuscripts auction.

Andrew Robb | Head of Valuations at Lyon & Turnbull Auction House

Valuations & Collections

Welcoming Andrew Robb - Head of Valuations, London

21 January 2025

We are delighted to welcome Andrew Robb as Head of Valuations in London. Andrew brings over twenty-four years of experience to his role as part of our UK wide team.

In January 2025, we were delighted to offer the collection of the banker and financier Bernard Kelly at in London, totalling £1.87m, with over 89% of lots finding buyers.

The Bernard Kelly Collection Sells for £1.87 million in London

17 January 2025

Contemporary Art

Virtual Tour | Contemporary Art & The Ski Sale

16 January 2025

Enjoy a virtual tour through our Edinburgh saleroom of our January 2025 Contemporary Art & The Ski Sale auctions.

Contemporary Art

Two Glasgow Polymaths: Alasdair Gray & John Byrne | Panel

14 January 2025

In our recent Glasgow exhibition, we were delighted to present a panel discussion with some of John Byrne's and Alasdair Gray's friends and contributors, led by Associate Director and Head of Contemporary Art Charlotte Riordan.

Mall Galleries

Enjoy a Tour of the Mall Galleries | January 2025

13 January 2025

Go on a virtual tour of our January 2025 Mall Galleries exhibition of The Bernard Kelly Collection.

MODERN BRITISH ART

The Piper Building | Murals by John Piper

6 January 2025

This January, our auction of The Bernard Kelly Collection features the most complete collection of studies by John Piper for his landmark commission to decorate the exterior of Watson House in south-west London (Lots 260 – 275).

CONTEMPORARY ART

Gently Narrative | Andrew Cranston

4 January 2025

This January, we are delighted to present Untitled (Monkey), 2006-2008, a significant strand within Andrew Cranston's oeuvre, in our 22 January Contemporary Art auction.

If Bernard Kelly’s collection can be said to have a centre, it is probably the group of predominantly 16th and 17th century Italian and Flemish bronzes, complimented by the fine selection of European and Old Master paintings within the collection.

European Art & Old Masters in The Bernard Kelly Collection

3 January 2025

REVIEW

Top of the Lots 2024

18 December 2024

From Ancient Rome to Modern Scotland, 2024 was a thrilling ride from start to finish - welcoming buyers and sellers from across the globe to our UK and online salerooms.

A collection of mother-of-pearl seashell vessels discovered at Penicuik Estate were sold for over £75,000 at Lyon & Turnbull’s London auction.

Rare Indian Vessels Discovered In Scotland Sell for Over £75,000 In London Sale

16 December 2024

This New Year, we are delighted to present the art collection of renowned banker and financier Bernard Kelly.

Bernard Kelly | The Quintessential Connoisseur

16 December 2024

The work of women artists took centre stage at our flagship Winter 2024 Scottish Paintings & Sculpture sale in Edinburgh.

Scottish Women Artists Take Centre Stage in Flagship Sale

10 December 2024

A one-of-a-kind item to make your staple piece of jewellery - look no further than the iconic charm bracelet.

Collecting Memories: The Magic of Charm Bracelets

2 December 2024

Scottish Paintings & Sculpture

Virtual Tour | Scottish Paintings & Sculpture | December 2024

29 November 2024

Enjoy a virtual tour through our Edinburgh saleroom of our December 2024 Scottish Paintings & Sculpture auction.

Books & Manuscripts

How to Know if You Have a First Edition Harry Potter Book

Since its quiet debut in 1997, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone has become one of the most sought-after modern first editions in the world of book collecting.

Jacobite Works of Art

The Battle of Culloden | 1746

On a windswept moor outside Inverness, on the 16 of April 1746 the fate of the Jacobite cause was sealed in a matter of less than an hour.

Charles Edward Stuart "Bonnie Prince Charlie" | Scottish 1720 - 1778

Jacobite Works of Art

The Jacobite Uprising: 1715 - 1745

The three decades between the failed uprising of 1715 and the more ambitious attempt of 1745 were marked not by silence, but by simmering unrest, exiled ambition, and political manoeuvring on both sides of the Channel.

Silver

Top Contemporary Silversmiths

In an age of mass production, the appeal of finely crafted silver remains stronger than ever. Today’s contemporary British silversmiths are not only preserving centuries-old techniques but also pushing the boundaries of form, function and expression.

Silver

What Is Contemporary Silver?

Silver has long held its place at the heart of the decorative arts, respected for its beauty, versatility and craftsmanship.

'The Veiled Hat' was described by the artist's biographer as ‘one of the loveliest pictures Bessie MacNicol ever painted’.

Glasgow Girl Bessie MacNicol's 'The Veiled Hat'

22 November 2024

JEWELLERY

Select Jewels From the Estate of the Late Lady Penn

21 November 2024

Jewellery from the Estate of the Late Lady Prudence Penn, Lady-in-waiting to HM Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother.

London based jeweller, Stephen Webster brings a modern approach to the good-old fashioned murder-mystery.

Deadly Allure: Stephen Webster’s 'Murder She Wrote' Collection

19 November 2024

MODERN MADE

MODERN MADE Sees New Generation of Contemporary Craft Buyers 

13 November 2024

Our Autumn 2024 sale boasted landmark prices across collecting disciplines from post-war design to Modern British art.

Lalique

The Unique Touch of Lalique Attracts International Interest

13 November 2024

Highly-desirable cire perdue pieces and record-making inkwell's led our ever-popular Lalique auction.

This historic garland was presented and worn by Mahatma Gandhi during the Dandi March in 1930.

The Gandhi Garland

12 November 2024

Five Centuries

Enjoy a Virtual Tour | Five Centuries

11 November 2024

Enjoy a virtual tour through our Edinburgh saleroom of our November 2024 Five Centuries auctions.

Scottish Colourist F.C.B. Cadell produced dynamic and colourful still lifes, including 'The Blue Jug'.

Dynamic in Colour & Composition | F.C.B. Cadell

5 November 2024

This exceptionally fine, rare and important pocket watch by Ilbery, London starred in our London Watches sale.

William Ilbery: Watches for the Asian Market

4 November 2024