Collecting
The sweet (and sometimes savage) history of Valentine’s Day cards
Tokens of love are a pleasure to receive and Valentine's Day cards from yesteryear are a treasure to cherish
Effortless ways to style blue and white ceramics in your home
A large display of blue and white china creates a real statement. Here we show you different ways to display your collection...
A pickled 'alien' and haunted paintings: These are the UK's 10 weirdest auction buys
From unusual Ozzy Osbourne memorabilia to bizarre (and questionable) curiosities, Polly Allen explores the most unexpected items snapped up in online auctions
Best range cookers for 2024
Cook up a storm this year with one of these beautiful range cookers
Who was William Morris? The renowned designer who never goes out of style
Victorian designer and social reformer William Morris was a titan of British design and a leading figure in the English Arts and Crafts movement, whose influence is still felt today
What's new?
Stunning photos that tell dark stories, from French nuclear testing to World War II – and how to own a piece of history yourself
Vintage photographs taken for newspapers and magazines are little pieces of history, says Austin Farahar, head of photographica at Chiswick Auctions
Vinyl revival: LPs are thriving, why now is the time to invest
Highly collectable with a rich history and unparalleled sound quality, vintage vinyl is not just surviving, but actually thriving in our digital age
From Darkest Peru to big bucks: Your childhood Paddington toys could be worth thousands
As the nation’s favourite bear returns to the big screen, the popularity of toy incarnations of the iconic character soar.
Collecting bird prints
Antique ornithological illustrations offer an insight into a dynamic era in the exploration of nature. We consider their appeal for today’s collectors…
Tiles of style: why both antique and new Delftware will always be in fashion
Whether they were made in the Netherlands or England, in the 1600s or far more recently, Delft tiles seem never to go out of fashion. In this buyer’s guide, we discover their fascinating history
Art
How to start your own art collection: tips from the experts
Visiting art galleries and their acclaimed masterpieces is one thing, but the real satisfaction of being an art lover lies in building a collection of your own. Here are some expert tips on how to do just that
How to buy original artists' prints
Serena Fokschaner talks to art dealer Caroline Wiseman about original prints and how they offer an affordable way to own works by established artists
Exhibitions to visit around the UK in February 2024
Our pick of the best museum and art gallery exhibitions around the UK in February 2024 and beyond...
Collecting Guides
How to clean antique picture frames
Keep gilded picture frames tidy and clean with these handy tips
A history of Mouseman furniture and where to buy
Unearth the history of these classic wooden furniture designs, famous for the little signature mouse carved into every piece...
A history of antique spongeware
Explore the charming history of sponge printing as Ellie Tennant dips into a thoroughly British pottery technique. Photographs Rachel Whiting
Design Icons
Discover the forgotten women of the Arts and Crafts movement
May Morris, Mary Seton Watts, Margaret Macdonald… Well over a century ago, these pioneering women made a huge contribution to the Arts and Crafts movement, yet they were overshadowed by their male contemporaries. Now it’s their time to shine!
Behind the brand: Watts 1874
With a museum-standard archive, it’s no surprise that this esteemed heritage textile and wallpaper brand is a favourite with interior decorators. Feature Kara O’Reilly.
Mid-century modern furniture designers to know
Pick up a beautiful piece of vintage home-grown, post-war furniture and add sleek lines, solid construction and pleasing design to your home
Experts
The Antiques That Shaped Me: Lennox Cato
The Antiques Roadshow regular Lennox Cato tells us about his earliest experiences in the trade...
The Antiques That Shaped Me: Annie Sloan
The queen of colour Annie Sloan on her love of auction treasure and her magpie approach to collecting
Meet Catherine Southon, star of BBC One's Bargain Hunt
Auctioneer and star of BBC One’s Bargain Hunt, Catherine Southon, shares her story on how she got into the world of antiques...
