Although Lyon & Turnbull’s roots are firmly Scottish, its outlook has always been international. The establishment of a permanent office in Mayfair, London, marked an important step in the firm’s evolution as a UK-wide auction house.
OUR 200 YEAR HISTORY
Expanding South: Lyon & Turnbull in London
26 November 2024
Lyon & Turnbull
The move south reflected both opportunity and intent. London has long been one of the world’s foremost centres for art, design, and collecting. A permanent base in the capital allows Lyon & Turnbull to engage directly with the city’s vibrant network of galleries, institutions, and private clients, strengthening its visibility and accessibility. From its Mayfair office, the firm now hosts regular exhibitions, valuations, and previews, ensuring that clients across southern England enjoy the same access to expertise and personal service long associated with its Edinburgh headquarters.
A Visible Presence at the Mall Galleries
Lyon & Turnbull’s London programme also includes a regular presence at the Mall Galleries, one of the capital’s most respected exhibition spaces and home to the Federation of British Artists. Here, the firm stages specialist auctions and public previews for key sales, particularly in Modern Design, Modern British, and Contemporary art. These events provide a platform to showcase works to a wider UK and international audience, often accompanied by curated displays and catalogues that reflect the company’s emphasis on research and presentation.
The expansion into London has also deepened collaboration with Freeman’s of Philadelphia, Lyon & Turnbull’s sister company and one of the oldest auction houses in the United States. The partnership allows clients to benefit from shared expertise and coordinated marketing across two continents, connecting consignors and collectors through joint sales and international exposure.
Lyon & Turnbull’s London expansion is more than a change of address; it strengthens the firm’s ability to connect Scotland’s long-established collecting culture with the energy and scale of the capital’s art market. The Mall Galleries programme provides a visible platform for exhibitions and auctions that bring the firm’s expertise to a wider national audience.
Today, Lyon & Turnbull stands as one of the few independent auction houses to operate successfully across the United Kingdom. Its presence in London, Edinburgh and Glasgow reinforces a principle that has guided the firm for nearly 200 years: that expertise, authenticity, and care for clients transcend geography.
Rooted in Edinburgh, connected through London, and partnered with Philadelphia, Lyon & Turnbull continues to shape its story as both a national and international leader in the art and design market.
[1999 - 2026]