Operating since 1826, Lyon & Turnbull are one of the longest established fine art and antiques auction houses in the United Kingdom. In the 21st century, we combine dedicated personal advice and attention with innovative, thoughtful marketing and a deep understanding of the world of art and antiques to offer an unparalleled auctioneer service.
We hold approximately 35 auctions per annum, including specialist categories such as Scottish paintings, British & European paintings, Asian works of art, jewellery, silver, antiques, books, furniture and contemporary art and design. For details of the categories of art and antiques we sell, please visit the departments page.
We hold approximately 35 auctions per annum, including specialist categories such as Scottish paintings, British & European paintings, Asian works of art, jewellery, silver, antiques, books, furniture and contemporary art and design. For details of the categories of art and antiques we sell, please visit the departments page.
Services
If you have an item that you would like to have valued for sale at auction, we would be delighted to give you an initial idea of an auction estimate. This is a complimentary service and you can get in touch with us in a number of ways. Please note we will endeavour to get back to you within 2-4 weeks.
Looking to discover more about the value of your art or object and how to sell it? Requesting an auction estimate is free and easy, just follow the steps below to get in-touch with our specialist team online, by telephone or in person.
We hold approximately 35 auctions per annum across the UK and live online, spanning many specialist categories from jewellery and watches to fine furniture; traditional British and European art to modern & contemporary stars; European decorative arts and design to fine Asian art from China and Japan.
We hold approximately 35 auctions per annum across the UK and live online, spanning many specialist categories from jewellery and watches to fine furniture; traditional British and European art to modern & contemporary stars; European decorative arts and design to fine Asian art from China and Japan.
At Lyon & Turnbull we want to make buying at auction, either in the saleroom or online as easy and enjoyable as possible. With both specialists and client services available across a wide range of locations so whatever your interest or query we are always on hand to help. Here we explain the whole process of buying at auction, from the first sight of your lot to taking it home.
Private Art Collections are what we are most passionate about. From the research and scholarly essays to tell the stories behind the objects and the collectors themselves, to the tailored marketing and presentation to let the world see them at their best, we throw ourselves into each project wholeheartedly.
Our Corporate Art Collections team provide valuation, collection management and auction services for fine art and antiques for corporate clients, private institutions, and charitable organisations. Throughout Lyon & Turnbull's history, the company has continuously demonstrated its ability to auction extraordinary pieces from corporate collections of art.
Reviews (16)
J. B.
Nov 22, 2021
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Lee Gilmore
Mar 20, 2021
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If I could give no stars I would. I set up a telephone bid for a lot I was interested in and received a confirmation email. They then completely forgot to call me. The lot sold for considerably less then I was prepared to pay meaning not only was I angry at their incompetence the vendor will have ended up with several hundred pounds less for their item.
Carol Morrow
Feb 25, 2021
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Mairi Maclean
Dec 23, 2020
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If I could give it no stars I would.
Went in with an antique 1800s piece of jewellery for the valuator having no care what I had to say about it or even look at the markings. Took it away for her to bring it back BROKEN. She just said oh it just pops back into place! Yes ok pal 1800s jewellery just pops back into place! I will never EVER go there again. Ps valuatation was HORRENDOUS!
Went in with an antique 1800s piece of jewellery for the valuator having no care what I had to say about it or even look at the markings. Took it away for her to bring it back BROKEN. She just said oh it just pops back into place! Yes ok pal 1800s jewellery just pops back into place! I will never EVER go there again. Ps valuatation was HORRENDOUS!
Gary Gowans
Nov 23, 2020
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Carly Ackerman
Sep 24, 2020
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I will never, ever purchase from this auction house again! Firstly, they sent a book to to the shippers when l actually purchased a painting. The last straw for me was when they stated on the auction website that the framed painting measured 74x55 cm when it was in fact a whopping 125 x100 cm! Had l known this, l would never have bid on it is too large for my space,. Plus the shipping is a £500! Do yourself a favor and stay far away from Lyon and Turnbull!
Oleksander Soluk
Jul 01, 2020
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Nessa Shell
Oct 21, 2019
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Nicola Wilson
Sep 13, 2019
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John Ennis
Jan 05, 2019
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Duncan Robertson
Sep 20, 2018
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Shona Adam
Mar 05, 2018
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I had never been inside Lyon & Turnbull before but in the last 9 days I have been 4 times! On 25 and 27 February 2018 at the Public Viewings of ‘Illustrated and Animated: Works by John Burningham and The Blundall Puppet Collection’, on 28 February when I attended the whole auction and bought one of the lots (having never bid for anything… previously... ever). Finally on 5 March when I went to collect my purchase. Every single time I was there I engaged with several (often different) members of staff and I have to say every last one of them was friendly, informative, very
Tracey Curran
Dec 11, 2017
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WARNING Bid a Chinese table for 1820 pounds in 2014. When I collect myself I found its fake then refused to collect. The auction expert told me he been to Hong Kong so many time it wasn't fake. They asked me to provided 2 professional statements to confirm it is fake..... His name is Young I think, he stopped answer my phone calls. After a year they agreed to resell in their auction and still charge for seller commission even I said I will donate all of the money from this table to charity. To the experts from this auction, 1820 pounds to you it just your 1 month pay, which is you sit in nice office
Heather Reddish
Nov 05, 2017
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Mark A.
Jun 25, 2017
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Warning: If you are thinking of selling at Lyon & Turnbull, you need to read this about their "experts" (not) and bad attitudes generally.
I have been buying from Lyon and Turnbull for many years. I did not buy much from them; to be honest, they were not the best auction house for my interest, possibly because their expert (John Batty) IMHO does not know his elbow from his, well, you get the picture.
The other day I emailed in an absentee commission bid on a lot and got the reply "Thank you for your bid however we are unable to accept bidding from you due to previous transactions." When I asked
I have been buying from Lyon and Turnbull for many years. I did not buy much from them; to be honest, they were not the best auction house for my interest, possibly because their expert (John Batty) IMHO does not know his elbow from his, well, you get the picture.
The other day I emailed in an absentee commission bid on a lot and got the reply "Thank you for your bid however we are unable to accept bidding from you due to previous transactions." When I asked
David Gray
Apr 06, 2017
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