Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
Anyone for Sphairistike? Net gains for tennis rarities
21 October 2019Sphairistike, an ancient Greek term meaning skill in playing at ball, was the name Major Walter Wingfield chose for the game he patented and first advertised early in 1874.
Five lots to watch at auction this week including an ancient Egyptian hippopotamus figure and a Christopher Dresser sake bottle
21 October 2019With estimates from £160-20,000, here are five previews of upcoming sales this week including items from auctions during Islamic & Indian Art Week in London.
Story time - objects with a compelling tale
21 October 2019A wealth of objects shelter under the great ‘Asian art’ umbrella – together representing five millennia of artistic endeavour across one quarter of the globe. Here we preview a series of Asian art objects available for sale at galleries and auctions over the next month, and each from a different moment in time or geography. From the cult of Monju to the beginning of a new Japanese imperial era – all tell a compelling tale.
Silver linings: Qing and later Chinese silver gets moment in spotlight
21 October 2019Dismissed a generation ago as decorative export wares, Qing and later silver is today the focus of lively academic and commercial attention.
The evolving world of Asian Art
21 October 2019For 22 years Asian Art in London has promoted the wide range of specialist auctions, dealer exhibitions, symposia and lectures held in the capital and further afield across 10 autumnal days. Together they spotlight the UK as a repository and a centre of expertise for the finest Asian art.
Asian art hammer highlights
21 October 2019A selection of UK and international auction highs and milestones from the past year.
Meeting demand - Asian Art in London auction and gallery highlights
21 October 2019Upcoming auction highlights plus some of the objects on display in galleries around the capital as part of Asian Art in London.
Opening times - Satsuma wares
21 October 2019The history of Satsuma wares, among the most recognised and profitable export products of the Meiji period, is interwoven with the opening up of Japan after centuries of isolation.
Ancient Cypriot jug, Suffragette porcelain tea service and Remington number 1 typewriter – five auction highlights that caught bidders’ eyes in the last week
18 October 2019ATG’s selection of hammer highlights this week includes an ancient Cypriot jug that was bid four times over estimate.
‘The finest piece of imperial glass to survive’ sells at nine-fold increase since 2000
14 October 2019The most important example of Qing glassware to appear at auction sold for HK$180m (£18m) – the highlight of Sotheby’s recent series in Hong Kong.
Russian porcelain rarity sells for £50,000 online
14 October 2019A State Porcelain Factory figure by Natalina Danko (1892-1943) emerged at auction in Grantham earlier this month.
Pick of the week: Dürer medal to honour emperor
14 October 2019Albrecht Dürer’s medal dedicated to Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, is among the most important medals of the Northern Renaissance. As only four are known to commerce, the appearance of one for sale is significant.
Five lots to watch at auction this week including a 6ft King Kong figure, an antique roulette wheel and a Scottish colourist painting
14 October 2019With estimates from £200-35,000, here are five previews of upcoming sales this week.
Christopher Dresser vase, Staffordshire pottery animals and a carved oak panel – five auction highlights that caught bidders’ eyes in the last week
11 October 2019ATG’s selection of hammer highlights this week includes a Christopher Dresser vase that made over 40-times estimate and a group of Staffordshire pottery animals that fetched over 20-times estimate.
Five lots to watch at auction this week including an Edwardian gadget walking cane, studio pottery and Eames chairs
07 October 2019With estimates from £250-12,000, here are five previews of upcoming sales this week.
Commons goes ape for Banksy auction record
07 October 2019Banksy’s derisive portrayal of The House of Commons reduced to an assembly of primates achieved a record £8.5m (plus premium) in Sotheby’s Contemporary Art auction on October 3.