Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
Pick of the week: Wedgwood made a move with Flaxman chess set
27 March 2026The first mention of plans for a Wedgwood earthenware chess set occurs in a bill from a 30-year-old John Flaxman dated March 8, 1785.
German porcelain, vendor in east Asia… Paris sale
27 March 2026Eighteenth century Meissen bought by a porcelain enthusiast from east Asia comes for sale at Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr in Paris on April 22.
Tests of faith and legal learning in East Sussex
27 March 2026English religious manuscript and Italian academic diplomas catch the eye
Nancy Mitford's Pursuit of Love made an immediate impression
27 March 2026First editions of the books that made Nancy Mitford’s name – The Pursuit of Love (1945) and Love in a Cold Climate (1949) – sold for £1600 at Reeman Dansie (25% buyer’s premium) in Colchester.
The collection of dealer Paul Fitzsimmons: a life in oak told across 700 lots in a Salisbury saleroom
27 March 2026Specialist dealer sells items from his collection in two-day auction as he heads towards semi-retirement
Pick of the week: Bullock table boasts quite a tale
20 March 2026A Regency table that probably featured in George Bullock’s ‘Finished Stock’ dispersal of 1819 sold for £80,000 (plus 26.5% buyer’s premium) at Sloane Street Auctions just over two centuries later.
Rackham art originals deliver deluxe qualities at Stockport auction
20 March 2026The sale of Antiquarian & Collectable Books at Capes Dunn in Stockport on March 17 included a group of deluxe editions of popular classics illustrated by Arthur Rackham (1867-1939).
Newcastle silver tankards toasted as ‘a real pleasure’ by west London auctioneer
20 March 2026Specialist from west London saleroom delighted to handle not one but two Newcastle rarities in a year
Pedometer rarity makes the running
20 March 2026The latest Special Antiques Sale at TW Gaze (22% buyer’s premium) in Diss included this rare Ralph Gout of London gilt brass horse-rider’s pedometer watch.
Longcase and bracket clock among delights sold in Skipton
20 March 2026A longcase clock from the English Golden Age sold for £90,000 at Hutchinson Scott (25% buyer’s premium) in Skipton, North Yorkshire.
Dunhill silver pocket compendium is so much more than just a lighter
20 March 2026Bourne End Auctions (17.5% buyer’s premium) in Buckinghamshire included a highly desirable Dunhill accessory on March 4.
Sketchbooks of worldwide interest created by Alexander the great traveller
20 March 2026Papers outline the journeys extraordinary for even a Victorian military man and explorer
Lantern clock and case reconnected after a remarkable reunion
20 March 2026A private collection of 17th century lantern and longcase clocks recently came for sale at Dawsons (27.5% buyer’s premium) in Maidenhead.
Write up your street in Edwardian days
20 March 2026Edwardian silver and enamel desk sets are rarely as extensive as this one sold by Franklin Browns (18% buyer’s premium) in Edinburgh.
First Period lantern clock and George Graham longcase emerge in regional sales
20 March 2026Discovered as a ‘box of bits’ in the late 1960s when clearing the attic of a London residence, a ‘First Period’ lantern clock was placed in storage until being put back together in the 1980s.
Pieces emerge from famous Sèvres service make 20 times estimate
20 March 2026Elements of a well-documented Empire period Sèvres dinner and dessert service surfaced at Kinghams (26% buyer’s premium) in Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, on March 4.
Bidders see the point of needlework
20 March 2026A diminutive but rare mid-17th century needlework picture sold for £11,000 in Tennants’ (24% buyer’s premium) latest Fashion, Costume and Textiles Sale.
Record prices for diamond jewels at UK auctions
19 March 2026Two items of diamond jewellery achieved record sums for UK salerooms Duke’s and Elmwoods this week.