Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
A detailed look at microscopes and much more
08 June 2020Fine examples lead an array of scientific instruments and photographica at specialist sale
Rare phonograph ready to play in Cologne sale
08 June 2020The Parisian clockmaker Henri Lioret (1848-1938) entered the market for ‘talking machines’ in an unconventional fashion – his first patented device of 1893 was a talking doll.
Desirable Dutch and English delft lead ceramics attractions in Derby and Newbury
08 June 2020This 8½in (21cm) Delft blue and white tulip vase below is typical in style and form of the De Metale Pot (The Metal Pot) factory.
Chad Valley toy rises to the saleroom challenge
08 June 2020The Chad Valley tinplate toy 'The Climbing Miller' is based closely on an earlier ‘gravity’ toy called 'Gustav the Busy Miller' that was one of Lehmann’s most popular issues made for close to 50 years in the pre-war era.
Auction previews: issue 2446
08 June 2020Sixteen upcoming lots from auctions taking place around the UK.
Politician and peer in portrait form brings strong interest at Surrey auction
08 June 2020A group of portrait miniatures sold recently by John Nicholson’s (30/25% buyer’s premium) in Haslemere, Surrey included this English school image, c.1700, of William Fermor, 1st Baron Leominster.
Eskimo vocabulary book and Stuart Devlin silver chalice are among five auction highlights that caught bidders’ eyes
05 June 2020ATG’s selection of hammer highlights this week includes a chalice and cover by silversmith Stuart Devlin that sold on top estimate.
Collection from Portobello Road market trader comes to Berkshire auction
03 June 2020The house contents of Portobello Road market stalwart Joan Dunk (1930-2019) is to be sold in Newbury next week.
An Arts and Crafts lamp, an Ercol bench and a Roman bronze foot are among the five lots to watch at auction this week
01 June 2020With estimates from £200-20,000 here are five previews of upcoming items this week.
Far Eastern works from Earls of Crawford and Balcarres lift auction North of the Border
01 June 2020Scotland’s key role in the 18th and 19th century China trade has a legacy. Some of the nation’s country houses remain the repository of important Far Eastern works of art.
Qing porcelain made for Islamic market and collection of European traveller shine at Chiswick sale
01 June 2020It was not just the great and good of 18th century Europe and North America who commissioned the Thirteen Factories at Canton to embellish Chinese porcelain blanks with family armorials or subjects copied from prints.
Gown from the wardrobe of Madame Lombard Bedaux turns heads at Essex auction
01 June 2020This couture gown, sold for £360 at Sworders (25% buyer’s premium), was once owned by the woman who hosted the wedding of Wallis Simpson and the Duke of Windsor.
Pick of the week: Dinky cars made up of parts in South Africa add up to £6500 result
01 June 2020South Africa leaving the Commonwealth in 1961 had serious consequences for British exporters – particularly when withdrawal was followed by imposition of an import tax on luxury goods.
Auction previews: issue 2445
01 June 2020Sixteen upcoming lots from auctions taking place around the UK.
Delft tulip vase and Victorian carriage clock are among five auction highlights that caught bidders’ eyes
29 May 2020ATG’s selection of hammer highlights this week includes a late 17th century Delft blue and white tulip vase that made over 25-times estimate and a 19th century carriage clock which may have been a gift from Florence Nightingale.
Charles Dickens books: A market always wanting more
26 May 2020No other Victorian could equal Charles Dickens for fame, earnings and sheer popularity. And few can match him today in the collecting arena.
Men of letters: Dickens and Burns light up works on paper parade
25 May 2020Two outstanding works on paper – a letter by Robert Burns and a page from the manuscript for Charles Dickens’ 'Pickwick Papers' – headline the June offerings across the field of books, maps and prints.
Pick of the week: Shedding golden light on an Iron Age ruler
25 May 2020The original names of the gold coins used by the indigenous tribes of Celtic Britain are unknown but collectors have dubbed them staters after the Greek coins that inspired them.
Paul Nash drawing and a model train among four lots to watch at auction this week
25 May 2020With estimates from £3000-60,000 here are four previews of upcoming items this week.
One giant leap for auctioneers
25 May 2020Covid-19 crisis has launched the art and antiques world into technological exploration