Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
Carafe inscription reveals connection to the Kit Kat Club
24 March 2025An early 18th century onion-shaped decanter or carafe offered at Halls (24% buyer’s premium) in Shrewsbury was of particular interest for a point-engraved inscription to the body. It read 'The Kit Kat Club at the Fountain Tavern on the Strand'.
Waste material turned into ashtray not to ashes
24 March 2025The YZ-branded range of novelties – a whimsical selection of ashtrays, match holders, pipe holders, pipe racks etc fashioned in tropical hardwoods and cherry amber bakelite – was produced by walking stick and cane maker Henry Howell and Company in the 1920s-30s.
Bees create a buzz in the 17th century
24 March 2025Written by the English naturalist and apiarist Rev Charles Butler and printed by the Oxford bookseller Joseph Barnes in 1609, 'The Feminine Monarchie or A Treatise Concerning Bees' is considered the first book on the science of beekeeping in the English language.
A gift of the king: Civil War gauntlet gloves quadruple estimate at Bonhams
20 March 2025The timed online sale of Books & Manuscripts at Bonhams Knightsbridge that closed on March 20 included a pair of 17th century embroidered gauntlet gloves that reference one of the most famous – and most romanticised – moments of the Civil War.
Impressive 19th century furniture among highlights at sale of works from Welsh estate Plas Teg
19 March 2025Welsh auction house Rogers Jones conducted its largest house clearance in over 30 years this month – the principal contents of Plas Teg in Flintshire.
LAPADA fair will team up with luxury jewellery ‘collective’
17 March 2025The next LAPADA Berkeley Square Fair will partner with luxury jewellery ‘collective’ Haute Jewels.
Monumental De Morgan tile panel with impressive provenance takes £65,000
17 March 2025A monumental and important William De Morgan architectural tile panel with an exceptional provenance has sold for £65,000 in Stourbridge.
Exceptional Sèvres vases surface in New York State
17 March 2025A monumental pair of Louis Philippe period Sèvres hard paste porcelain vases has been sold in upstate New York.
Classic Art Week organisers confident about demand
17 March 2025The organisers of Classic Art London, the new marketing initiative designed to replace London Art Week (LAW), say they are confident of passing the target of 20 dealers for its inaugural event.
Martin Brothers group set for sale in Sydney
17 March 2025The Cheong family collection of Martin Brothers comes for sale at Bonhams in Sydney on March 27.
George Baxter Whitefriars results buoyant
17 March 2025In a market that waxes and wanes, recent sales suggest collectors are active and pushing up prices
French ‘Industrial’ clock generates interest in Canterbury
17 March 2025The French inventor André Romain Guilmet (1827-92) took out many patents for his ingenious designs including in 1868 the idea for a driving chain on a bicycle.
Photography: Early achievers bring auction demand
17 March 2025Recent auction sales shone the spotlight on pioneering photographers active in the first days of the art
Seventeenth century Newcastle silver rarity emerges
17 March 2025A rare example of 17th century Newcastle silver holloware sold for £7500 at Chiswick Auctions’ (26% buyer’s premium) latest specialist sale of Silver and Objects of Vertu.
Venini glass proves very popular
17 March 2025A single-owner collection of Venini glassware led Roseberys’ (26/25/20% buyer’s premium) first Design auction of the year in West Norwood.
Some pressing thoughts on ‘cyder’ in early printed works
17 March 2025Early works on apple husbandry reflect the popularity of ancient brew in Britain by the 17th century
Flambards theme park village sells ahead of auction
13 March 2025The ‘Victorian Village’ at Flambards theme park, consigned to Penzance saleroom Lay’s for sale on March 25-28, has been sold by private treaty
BAMF welcomes import duty change for art and antiques
13 March 2025The British Art Market Federation (BAMF) has welcomed the government’s announcement of changes to the Temporary Admission procedure, which relieves the import duties for eligible goods that are imported temporarily.
Rare Elizabeth I gold Sovereign emerges at auction
12 March 2025Held by the same Dutch family for just over 300 years, a very high grade Elizabeth I gold Sovereign comes for sale this week.