Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
Machine exerts a strong influence
06 April 2020The Wimshurst influence machine, an electrostatic generator capable of creating high voltages, was developed between 1880-83 by British inventor James Wimshurst (1832-1903).
Auction record set for British ‘society’ portraitist Ambrose McEvoy at Dreweatts
06 April 2020Artist battles back to regain favour with auctioneers, private buyers and dealers
Victorian travel wardrobe draws interest as it reappears at auction
06 April 2020This deluxe Victorian travel accessory is a ‘campaign wardrobe’ made by Robinson & Sons of Ilkley, Yorkshire.
“The longest time I have ever spent on the rostrum” – Lyon & Turnbull’s live online sale delivers results
03 April 2020Lyon & Turnbull held a remarkably successful sale of Decorative Arts on April 1 – the firm’s first using the ‘live online’ format.
A lion and stallion bronze sculpture, a May Morris panel and a Chinese dragon dish – five auction highlights that caught bidders’ eyes
03 April 2020ATG’s selection of hammer highlights this week includes a striking bronze of a lion attacking a horse that sold at 22-times its top estimate.
Pick of the week: Mah-jong set that counts for a lot
30 March 2020The popular Chinese game of mah-jong is a relative newcomer.
Exotic touch to anniversary auction with Australian picture at Surrey sale
30 March 2020An early coastal scene of Australia sold for more than five times its top estimate to an online buyer from New South Wales at Ewbank’s anniversary sale.
Immortal bowl’s lasting effect
30 March 2020This Yongzheng (1722-35) mark and period Eight Immortals bowl sold for £26,000 at the Hansons (20% buyer’s premium) auction in Teddington last month.
The minaudière from Mr Arpels
30 March 2020The minaudière, a case for storing several personal items in a small space, first appeared during the 1930s.
How old values still stand firm today
30 March 2020Three Victorian bangles were among the most popular lots of Dreweatts’ (25/20/12% buyer’s premium) sale of Fine Jewellery, Silver, Watches and Objects of Vertu.
Natural topaz commands a premium at Barbara Kirk
30 March 2020Topaz in its natural state is a golden brown to yellow, a characteristic which means it is sometimes confused with the less valuable gemstone citrine.
A collection of Georgian and Victorian jewellery to remember
30 March 2020A recent Stroud Auctions sale featured a private collection of more than 120 pieces of Georgian and Victorian jewellery. Most were rings, among them many examples of mourning jewellery in a wide range of forms and materials.
A ‘sing-song’ for the inventive James Cox
30 March 2020The London entrepreneur James Cox (c.1723-1800) is best known as a specialist in the intricate clockwork curios encrusted with gold, silver and jewel, referred to as ‘sing-songs.’
Eros and the grasshopper
30 March 2020This Grand Tour-era ring sold at Great Western Auctions (20% buyer’s premium) in Glasgow features an unusual banded carnelian intaglio carved with a putti holding the leg of a large grasshopper.
Self-portrait shows Barry in a sorry state
30 March 2020Two versions of a rare mezzotint self-portrait by the Irish artist James Barry (1741-1806) excelled when offered for sale at Forum Auctions. Both plates, one an unrecorded proof impression, the other possibly inscribed by the artist, took multi-estimate sums from online bidders.
Poniatowski ‘fakes’ bring £15,500
30 March 2020This collection of 10 carnelian intaglios carved to depict classical figures and scenes once formed part of the collection of Prince Stanislas Poniatowski (1754-1833). His past possessions are always of interest to collectors.
Timely reminder of Byron in the saleroom
30 March 2020Association with the name boosts value as part of a sale dedicated to the poet.
Vendors support Lyon & Turnbull’s move to sell online
27 March 2020The Edinburgh and London auction house Lyon & Turnbull is to press ahead with its two April sales as ‘live online only’ events. The firm’s sales of Decorative Arts: Design since 1860 (April 1) and Contemporary & Post-War Art (April 16) will feature auctioneer Gavin Strang on the rostrum in Edinburgh but no one else in the room.
Rembrandt self-portrait, yachting watch and a portrait by a British society artist – five auction highlights that caught bidders’ eyes
27 March 2020ATG’s selection of hammer highlights this week includes an early self-portrait print by Rembrandt selling at 40 times its top estimate and a portrait of a young woman by British ‘society’ artist Ambrose McEvoy.
Online bidders snap up rare James Barry prints at Forum Auctions
26 March 2020Two versions of a rare mezzotint self-portrait by the Irish artist James Barry (1741-1806) excelled when offered for sale at Forum Auctions. Both plates, one an unrecorded proof impression, the other possibly inscribed by the artist, took multi-estimate sums from online bidders.