Lyon & Turnbull will mark its 200th anniversary in 2026, a milestone that few auction houses reach. Founded in Edinburgh in 1826, the firm has grown from a local saleroom into one of the UK’s leading independent auction houses, operating from Edinburgh, London, and Glasgow with an international network of clients and collaborators.
OUR 200 YEAR HISTORY
Lyon & Turnrbull at 200: Looking Ahead to 2026
26 November 2024
Lyon & Turnbull
As it approaches its bicentenary, the focus is on continuing to evolve while maintaining the principles that have shaped the business: knowledge, professionalism, and trust. Investment in specialist expertise and digital innovation ensures that the company remains accessible to collectors wherever they are, while maintaining the care and personal service that have defined its approach for generations.
The anniversary will highlight two centuries of continuity in an industry that has changed dramatically. Lyon & Turnbull’s modern identity, independent, research-led, and outward-looking, reflects how a Scottish-founded firm can thrive in the global art market while staying true to its roots.
Looking forward, the company continues to expand its reach across the UK and internationally, developing its presence in London and strengthening its partnership with Freeman’s in Philadelphia. Its ambition remains clear: to connect people with art and design through expertise, integrity, and genuine enthusiasm.
Two hundred years on from Jonathan Lyon’s first sale, Lyon & Turnbull remains guided by the same idea — that auctions are about more than transactions; they are about knowledge, connection, and discovery.
[1999 - 2026]