The Ultimate Lockdown Antiques and Art Guide
With millions of antique and art lovers staying safe by self-isolating around the world, it’s proving difficult for them to get their regular fix of beautiful items and artworks.
As auction houses, fairs, museums, historic houses and theatres all temporarily close, we’ve scoured the internet to bring you some of the best digital resources to help you wile away the time with some interesting and entertaining content.
Art in Isolation
Art dealer, BBC Antiques Roadshow expert and co-presenter with Fiona Bruce on the hugely popular Fake or Fortune, Philip Mould has launched a series of live streams on his social channels where he shares his love of the various artworks in the collection of his historic home.
Women in Art
Explore the National Gallery’s amazing collection of works by female artists, including a botanical expert whose work commanded a higher price than Rembrandt’s during her day. Want more? The National Gallery’s YouTube channel boasts a wealth of films that encompass its huge collection and will keep you entertained for hours.
Art Courses
Brush up on your knowledge of art history by enrolling in a 100% online art appreciation course run by The Art Institute and curated by art consultant and BBC Antiques Roadshow expert Hilary Kay. Hilary brings together 12 passionate art specialists to create an introductory course, designed to provide you with a broad understanding of western art, its history and the world that surrounds it.
Snap & Share your Antiques
Get social, grab your phone and join us on Twitter where housebound antique lovers are snapping and sharing pics of the unique antiques and art in their home
Boxset Binge
Settle back, switch on the box and catch up with all your favourite antiques and art programmes. With catch-up across a wide range of platforms, there’s countless hours of viewing to keep you fully informed and entertained. Enjoy!
The Royal Collection
Spend some time immersed in one of the world’s largest and most important art collections – The Royal Collection. With over 250,000 works of art to explore, visitors can search by using such filters as type, object, date and name of artist.
Bauhaus 100
Learn about the wide-ranging influence of the German Bauhaus school, founded by Walter Gropius in 1919 and still inspiring designers a hundred years later. The BBC’s Bauhaus 100 explores Gropius’s desire to create a new way of living for the modern age.
Project Time
Now’s the time to tackle that chair with the broken back splat or give those Victorian chest of drawers a sympathetic spring clean. Take inspiration from Kim at Former Glory on the border of Dorset and Hampshire who is sharing a regular vlog that captures a project to restore a high-back Dutch style chair.
Good Knight
Enjoy one of Shakespeare’s sonnets read daily by Sir Patrick Stewart in his dulcet tones on Instagram.
Smashing Collection
While National Trust properties are currently locked down across the UK that’s no reason why you can’t savour some beautiful examples from their historic ceramics collection.
Called to Books
Our sister publisher ACC Art Books publishes a wide range of antique and horology titles, alongside a huge selection of design, architecture and photography books.
Museum of Wonders
Get behind the scenes of the British Museum with a virtual story-telling tour via its selection of podcasts. With over 2 million years of human history and culture to explore it’s a fascinating trip to one of the nation’s favourite museums without leaving your armchair.
Access All Areas
The Open Art Fair may have been forced to close early due to pandemic, but you can still visit and ‘walk through’ the International event’s different halls enjoy the displays of artwork courtesy of The Virtual Open Art Fair. Savour some beautiful art and objects, even contacting the dealers if you want to find out more.
Get Antique Collecting
Take out a subscription to Antique Collecting magazine and get it delivered straight to your door. Each month we bring you the latest market news, buying and collecting advice from leading experts and in-depth articles covering every aspect of antiques and art – from stunning antiquities to mid-century furniture.