Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
Silver drinking novelty sails above estimate
22 November 2021The windmill cup was the most popular of the novelty silver wager cups produced from the late 16th century until the early 18th century.
Take to the floor and do some sums in Abingdon
22 November 2021The Spanish woollen rug illustrated here was pitched at £100-200 in Mallams’ (25% buyer’s premium) Abingdon rooms on October 18.
Aristocratic connections boost rings
22 November 2021In a recent Financial Times article titled 'Dangerous baubles for boys', historian and style journalist Nick Foulkes commented that a friend had “described my hands as looking like a cabinet of curiosities trying to emulate a pair of knuckledusters”.
Spoons serve up taste of the 17th century
22 November 2021As very personal items, typically weighing little more than an ounce of bullion, the most numerous silver survivors from the 17th century are spoons.
Previews: issue 2519
22 November 2021A selection of 15 upcoming lots from auctions taking place around the UK.
Coconut cup brings out the exotic side of Hull
22 November 2021This Charles II silver mounted coconut cup is particularly rare on account of its marks for the Hull silversmith Edward Mangie (1634-85).
Prince Albert’s drawings for Queen Victoria's coronet sell at Colchester auction
22 November 2021The V&A loses out in £23,000 bidding battle for Prince Albert’s drawings of the diamond and sapphire coronet he designed for Queen Victoria.
Up sticks from the Potteries
22 November 2021This pair of William III silver candlesticks came for sale at Potteries Auctions (20% buyer’s premium).
'Tigerware’ beer jug emerges in Cambridge sale
22 November 2021Given their relatively small metal content, many silver-mounted ‘tigerware’ beer jugs survived the great bullion melting of the English Civil War, making them perhaps the most recognised example of late 16th century silver today.
The 6cm shoes for adults
22 November 2021The auction at toy specialist C&T (22% buyer’s premium) in Kenardington, Kent, on November 3 included this very rare pair of doll’s shoes dated to c.1700.
Twenty shining ideas for the gift-giving season
22 November 2021Many sales in late November and early December are assembled with presents in mind and silver and jewellery are much to the fore.
Clay maquette of Winston Churchill stars in our pick of five auction highlights
19 November 2021ATG’s weekly selection of items that caught bidders’ eyes includes a clay maquette of Sir Winston Churchill that soared 13 times over estimate at an auction in Dorset.
Pick of the week: The £6500 fabric of a bitter argument
15 November 2021“From then on, nothing went right. My carpet designs were rejected and my textiles were not required."
Fabergé T-Rex soars at sale thanks to ATG advert
15 November 2021A rare Fabergé jade carving of a Tyrannosaurus Rex emerged for sale at a US regional auction house to sell for $65,000 (£50,000).
Royal connection: King Oscar's telephone at auction
15 November 2021Guaranteed to attract attention at science and technical antiques specialist Auction Team Breker on November 6 was this remarkable Ericsson telephone.
Early English pottery tankards bring strong interest two regional sales
15 November 2021Pictured here are two early English pottery tankards – both of them documentary pieces.
Rattlesnake with satirical bite draws strong bidding at Woolley & Wallis
15 November 2021Among the best-performing lots at the Woolley & Wallis (25/12% buyer’s premium) Ceramics & Glass sale was a rare Wedgwood black basalt seal.
Rare safety helmet surfaces in the Borders
15 November 2021Prompted by a series of fatal mining disasters in the 19th century, a Royal Commission in 1907 recommended the establishment of a miners’ rescue service.
Napoleonic porcelain now commands serious levels of auction power
15 November 2021While the kilns at Sèvres languished during the Revolution, Napoleon recognised the value of a national porcelain factory and used it as an extension of his power.
Squirrels surprise in Stamford
15 November 2021At a recent sale at Stamford Auction Rooms (20% buyer’s premium) in Lincolnshire this pair of mid-19th century Staffordshire red squirrels sold for a surprise £2000.