Areas of Specialism: Modern British Art, Modern & Post-War Design, Contemporary & Post-War Art, Studio & Contemporary Ceramic Art & Crafts
Philip Smith has been a significant figure in the sale and promotion of Modern & Contemporary Design, Art and Craft over the last 15 years, with an international reputation as a leading auctioneer and senior specialist in these areas, heading up these departments for Lyon & Turnbull both in the UK and internationally.
After graduating from the Courtauld Institute of Art with a Master’s degree in History of Art in 2007, Philip started his career at a leading auction house in the South of England, developing sales with particular focus on modernist furniture and studio & contemporary ceramics and craft, handling a number of important artist's estates and specialist collections over his career in the industry. Building on over 10 years’ experience in the field Philip joined Lyon & Turnbull based in London in 2018, launching our flagship sale in the capital MODERN MADE, which has achieved world record artist’s prices and attracted international collectors from around the world over the years.
Within the specialist field of contemporary ceramic art and craft, Philip is now seen as one of the leading advocates of this area in the auction field, and in particular in promoting living maker's work.
Philip was a trustee of Court Barn Museum, the Guild of Handicraft Museum, and has co-curated a number of exhibitions focused on contemporary designers alongside writing articles for publications such as Ceramic Review, contributed to articles in The Times and The Telegraph, and has given lectures such as on the changing nature of Studio Ceramics reception in the art world at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford.
