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News & Views - (14)

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(left to right) Mark Hill, Valerie Kennard (Chair of Arts4Kent), Jeremy Kimmel (Director of Arts and Engagement at The Amelia) & Brian Lippard (Chair of the Friends at the Amelia Scott)

George Smart’s Old Bright the Postman Comes Home to Tunbridge Wells

12th Nov 2025 by Mark Hill

Mark Hill Auctions was delighted to be asked to help unveil a landmark artwork by celebrated 19th-century folk artist George Smart (English, 1774–1846) last week at The Amelia Scott in Tunbridge Wells. The work, titled Old Bright the Postman, c1820, is now on display at The Amelia Scott and was acquired through our Tunbridge Wells auction room. This marks a significant moment in the return of an important piece of local heritage.

Lot 209 - A complete set of mid-century David Andersen 'Four Seasons' brooches, designed by Thorbjorn Lie-Jorensen in 1959 - sold for £1,062

Style Auction Surpasses Records And Achieves Outstanding Results for Mark Hill Auctions

29th Oct 2025 by Mark Hill

Our highest grossing auction to date, including auction records for a Paul Nash ‘The Wall- Dymchurch’ engraving and a set of David Andersen Four Seasons brooches. We are pleased to share Mark’s top ten lots from our recent Style auction. Style: Including Art Nouveau & Art Deco Treasures from The Leslie Crispin Collection took place on 8th October 2025.

Lot 359, A Cartier Tank Americaine 18ct gold cased automatic gentleman’s wristwatch, sold for £7,080.

Eclectica III Success: Mark’s Top Lots from the Sale

31st Jul 2025 by Mark Hill

Our most recent Eclectica III auction took place on 17th July and featured the sale of number of Art Nouveau and Art Deco ceramics, sculptures, and jewellery as well an eclectic mixture of antiques, art, glass, and curiosities. With nearly 90% of the lots sold here are Mark’s favourite auction highlights from the sale.

Lot 19, Guido Gambone (1909-69), 'Night Rider', large oval pottery dish.

Eclectica II Enchants Bidders with a Stunning Selection of Fine Art, Vintage Writing Equipment, Jewellery, and Collectables

13th May 2025 by Mark Hill

We are thrilled to share with you of some of the top lots from our recent Eclectica II sale that took place on the 24th April 2025 which was packed full of unique antiques, jewellery, fine art, and vintage writing equipment and memorabilia.

George Smart: The Tailor of Frant

21st Mar 2025 by Mark Hill

We were delighted to offer one of the earliest depictions of 'Old Bright The Postman' by legendary Kentish folk artist George Smart in our Eclectica II auction on 24th April 2025.

Eclectica I Auction Delights Bidders with Exceptional Art, Antiques & Collectables

25th Feb 2025 by Mark Hill

Our first general auction Eclectica I saw the sale of antique and desirable fine art, objects, ceramics, glass, silver, sculpture, jewellery and collectables. Our excitement at the auction results has been only outmatched by the pleasure we have received from the huge number of successful bidders and as well as the numerous delighted vendors.

The Stunning Success of Nadira Azzouz

25th Feb 2025 by Mark Hill

With fierce bidding from buyers across the UK and internationally, we were thrilled by the success of our November studio sale auction of works by modern and contemporary artist Nadira Azzouz (1927-2020).

Moorcroft, Moorcroft collectors, William Moorcroft

Magical Moorcroft

29th Nov 2024 by Mark Hill

With inspiration firmly rooted in nature, the flowing, floral and foliate designs and jewel-like colours of Moorcroft are unmistakeable. And there’s a British business success story to inspire behind it too.

Michael Harris, Studio Glass, Fish Glass

Mdina Glass

29th Nov 2024 by Mark Hill

It takes a lot to break new ground and be successful in business, particularly when the very framework and techniques you’re using break new ground too. And so it was with pioneering glass artist Michael Harris, who founded a glass studio called Mdina Glass on the Mediterranean island of Malta in 1968.

corkscrew, mechanical, fin de siècle, novelty corkscrew,

Corkscrews

29th Nov 2024 by Mark Hill

It’s the height of Summer – finally – and it’s time for alfresco dining. Long, light and languid evenings spent with friends in the garden with light food and a refreshing bottle of rosé, or a chilled Chablis. And there’s nothing better to open your bottle of fine wine with than an antique corkscrew.

Rene Lalique, French Glass, Decorative Glass, Art Nouveau, Art Deco

Lalique Glass

29th Nov 2024 by Mark Hill

“Fashion changes, but style endures”, said Coco Chanel. And she was right. Add a heavy dose of quality and the mix is perfect. Art Deco glass designed by Rene Lalique has been the height of style for nearly a century, and this looks set to continue with desirability and prices – and the business he founded - as strong as ever. In 2012, a unique vase found in an attic sold at auction for £280,000, but you can get in on the game for a couple of hundred pounds.

iraqi art, nadira azzouz, middle eastern art

Expressions Of The Soul: The Studio Of Nadira Azzouz

19th Jun 2024 by Mark Hill

Mark Hill Auctions is delighted to announce the auction of the contents of the studio of the Iraqi born abstract artist Nadira Azzouz. Over 340 paintings will be sold on 5th November 2024 at 14.00 GMT. Although some early works from the late 1950s-60s are included, most works date from later in her life and all demonstrate the remarkable vivacity, energy and colour that typify her work. All are highly decorative and appealing, and domestically sized, and their titles suggest how the artist expressed her inner most thoughts and her love for her native Middle East and its centuries' long heritage of decorative and fine arts. All the works are fresh to the auction market, with many being unseen before, and they represent the remaining parts of her oeuvre.