Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
Gift from one giant of 19th century natural history to another
13 November 2026The sale held by Bespoke Auctions at Sudeley Castle, Gloucestershire, on November 4 included a Victorian gilt brass pocket compass that unites two greats of 19th century natural history.
Rare Anzacs lead line-up of Our Gang wartime figures on parade in West Yorkshire
13 November 2026Hard-to-find figures from the Bovey Tracey wartime range line-up generate considerable demand
Peace by day, parties by night
13 November 2026According to family tradition, this Regency jewelled hair ornament known as The Harbour Lights was worn at the Congress of Vienna (1814-15).
Scottish gallows given new life when turned into a snuffbox souvenir
13 November 2026This circular turned oak snuff box carries a silver plaque reading 'Made From The Remains Of The Kind Gallows Of Crieff 1844'.
Jewellery auction previews including two early portrait miniature rings
13 November 2026A selection of stand-out items from upcoming sales
Mother of pearl used en masse in a Dunhill and Namiki vanity case
13 November 2026Gorringe’s (25% buyer’s premium) Jewellery, Silver and Watches sale in Lewes on October 27 included a rare Art Deco silver and lacquer vanity case produced by Dunhill in collaboration with the Namiki firm of Japanese lacquer artists.
Grandmother’s £500,000 jewellery collection left hidden away at the top of the house
13 November 2026The national press loves a good ‘cash in the attic’ story. The latest was Elmwood’s discovery of a £500,000 cache of antique jewellery in a Worcestershire home.
Pioneering transatlantic biplane was stripped for mementos at crash site
13 November 2026A brass cap for a fuel tank retrieved from the crash site of Alcock and Brown’s Vickers Vimy biplane in County Galway in 1919 sold for £2000 at Ellis Willis & Beckett (24.5% buyer’s premium) in Sheffield.
By Russian royal approval: How Charles and Christine of Harrogate became czarina’s godchildren Alix and Nicholas
13 November 2026The story of a late 19th century Russian beaker offered at Lindsay Burns (22% buyer’s premium) in Perth began in a boarding house in Harrogate in 1894.
Necklace underlines demand for fine period jewels
13 November 2026Noonans’ (24% buyer’s premium) recent sale of Jewellery, Watches, Silver and Objects of Vertu was led by a natural saltwater pearl, conch pearl and diamond fringe necklace.
Ford Madox Brown inspired to make his own chair
13 November 2026An ebonised wood and cane ladderback chair designed in the Egyptian revival style by the Pre-Raphaelite artist Ford Madox Brown (1821-93) was among the highlights of the Arts & Crafts & Design sale at Woolley & Wallis (27% buyer’s premium).
Silver dealer vows to keep trading despite theft of entire stock
06 November 2026A dealer’s entire stock of antique and later domestic and collectable silver was stolen during a break in at a shop in Sherborne, Dorset.
Tip-top price for rare truncheon at auction
06 November 2026A 19th century ceremonial truncheon created for the High Constable of the Hundred of Ringmer in Sussex under William IV was snapped up by a local buyer.
Ravishing rococo: Louis XV silver soup tureen at Christie's estimated at up to £6m
05 November 2026What Christie’s calls ‘the finest group of museum-quality silver remaining in private hands’ will be a highlight of Classic Week at Christie’s London in December.
Asian Art in London award winners announced
30 October 2026The recipients of the annual Asian Art in London (AAL) prizes that celebrate outstanding examples of art and antiques offered by auction houses and dealers were announced on the evening of October 29.
Relatives consign Royal Humane Society medals
30 October 2026The coin sale staged by David Guest Numismatics with Numismatica Ars Classica in Zurich on November 19 includes two rare medals issued by the Royal Humane Society.
Kangxi blue and white porcelain ‘soldier’ vases take six-figure sum at Dorset auction
27 October 2026A pair of Kangxi blue and white porcelain ‘soldier’ vases and covers hammered at £180,000 when Duke’s of Dorchester sold selected contents from Breamore House, near Fordingbridge in the New Forest.