Design Auctions

Experience. Expertise. Exceptional Design.

By design, Lyon & Turnbull brings together experience, expertise and exceptional design through curated auctions spanning the late 19th century to the present day. Each sale presents outstanding works that define movements, shape interiors and inspire collectors around the world.

As one of the UK's leading auction houses for design, decorative arts and contemporary craft, Lyon & Turnbull presents expertly curated auctions celebrating Arts & Crafts, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Modernism, mid-century modern, post-war and contemporary design.

Our auctions present furniture, lighting, carpets, textiles, ceramics, glass, sculpture, and metalwork, and offer collectors, interior decorators, architects and enthusiastic individuals from around the world opportunities to own exceptional objects. The regular sales include Design Since 1860, Art Nouveau & Art Deco, Lalique, MODERN MADE, and Travel & Vintage Posters and celebrate international designers right through to emerging contemporary makers.

With expertise across 20th and 21st century design and decorative arts, Lyon & Turnbull is recognised for combining scholarship, connoisseurship and market insight, connecting historic craftsmanship with contemporary collecting trends.

Request a Free Valuation

Contact our specialist auction team for a complimentary valuation of your design.

What Type of Design Are You Interested In?

BY DESIGN

Join Our Bi-Annual Design Season

Lyon & Turnbull celebrates design year-round through a programme of specialist design auctions, with a particular focus during our dedicated Spring and Autumn Design Seasons. Featuring Design Since 1860, Lalique, MODERN MADE and Travel & Vintage Posters, these sales showcase exceptional furniture, decorative arts and collectible design from the 19th century to the present day.

Contact us to consign to our dynamic design season today.

Buy and Sell Design at Auction

Whether you are acquiring a single piece or selling a collection, our specialists provide expert advice and access to an international audience.

We offer:

Specialist valuations for design and decorative arts
Advice on selling individual pieces or collections
Global exposure through live and online auctions

What Types of Design & Decorative Arts Do We Sell?

Our design auctions cover a broad range of categories, including:

Gothic Revival
Aesthetic Movement
Arts & Crafts
Art Nouveau & Art Deco
Lalique
Modernism
Mid-century modern furniture and furnishings
Studio ceramics and glass
Contemporary design and studio craft

Spanning the 20th and 21st centuries, our department reflects the changing story of design through furniture, lighting, glass, ceramics, metalwork, sculpture and textiles. From Gothic Revival to contemporary studio practices, our sales place exceptional objects within the wider context of interiors, craftsmanship and material innovation.

Selling Design in the Heart of London

Go behind the scenes as our London team transform the Mall Galleries in central London for a week of modern and contemporary art and design auctions.

Meet our Design Specialists

Whether you wish to buy, sell, or value design objects, our department provides a trusted, transparent, and engaging experience, combining scholarship, style and a passion for the decorative arts.

- John Mackie, Head of Design

From Decorative Arts to Contemporary Design

Spanning the 20th and 21st centuries, our department reflects the changing story of design through furniture, lighting, glass, ceramics and decorative objects. From early modernism and mid-century design to post-war Scandinavian makers and contemporary studio practice, our sales place exceptional objects within the wider context of interiors, craftsmanship and material innovation.

Start With a Valuation...

Submit details of your design enquiry and a member of our specialist team will be in touch quickly to advise on likely estimates and auction potential. Should you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us at info@lyonandturnbull.com

BUY

Our Latest Design Auctions

EVENTS

Proud Partners of London Design Festival

DESIGNERS

Designers We Love

EVENTS

Events & Valuation Days

FAQs: Buying & Selling Design at Auction

We regularly host design focused auctions from our Edinburgh and London salerooms, everyone available to watch or bid in online. From our decorative art sales in Edinburgh to our esteemed MODERN MADE auctions in London, our lots feature work by some of the biggest names in design history.

You can find regular furniture auctions in Edinburgh at Lyon & Turnbull, Scotland’s oldest auction house. Our Design and Antiques departments host sales featuring period furniture, decorative arts, and modern design, from Georgian craftsmanship to Mid-Century classics. All upcoming Edinburgh furniture auctions and viewing dates are listed on our Auction Calendar.

Our Design auctions showcase influential creators from the Arts & Crafts movement to Contemporary Design. You’ll find works by leading British, Scandinavian, and international designers, from Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Ernest Gimson to Alvar Aalto, Arne Jacobsen, and Ettore Sottsass.

Lyon & Turnbull holds regular design auctions in London, featuring standout pieces of furniture, decorative arts, and modern craftsmanship. Our London saleroom showcases works by leading British and international designers throughout the year. Visit our Auction Calendar to view the dates for the year ahead.

Bidding at a Lyon & Turnbull Design auction is simple and accessible. You can register to bid online, by phone, or in person at our London, Edinburgh or Glasgow locations. Browse the catalogue in advance to discover available works, then place bids live during the sale or leave an absentee bid beforehand. Our specialist team is always available to guide new and experienced collectors through the process, ensuring a smooth and confident bidding experience.

Design Auctions

Experience. Expertise. Exceptional Design.

Request a Free Valuation

What Type of Design Are You Interested In?

Join Our Bi-Annual Design Season

Buy and Sell Design at Auction

What Types of Design & Decorative Arts Do We Sell?

Selling Design in the Heart of London

Meet our Design Specialists

From Decorative Arts to Contemporary Design

Start With a Valuation...

FAQs: Buying & Selling Design at Auction

When are the upcoming design auctions in my area?

Where can I find furniture auctions in Edinburgh?

What designers' works do Lyon & Turnbull sell?

When is the next design auction in London?

❓ What is the process of bidding at a design auction?

Our Auction Departments