Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
Yuan peony jar leads Dublin sale of Asian art
03 December 2018The influx of Asian art buyers that accompanies the Asian Art in London initiative also encourages activity across the Irish Sea. Both Adam’s (20% buyer’s premium) in Dublin, for the first time, and Sheppards (20% buyer’s premium) in Durrow held designated sales on November 3 and November 11 respectively.
Sotheby's hoping to be big in Japan again with London sale
03 December 2018For the first time in a decade, Sotheby’s Asian Art in London offering included a designated sale of Japanese art on November 6.
UK sales of Asian art – a coming together of cultures
03 December 2018Despite the disparity in numbers, the market for Chinese and Japanese works of art are increasingly aligned.
Rockefeller pattern Chinese export porcelain ware brings demand at Dreweatts
03 December 2018Among the most coveted of all the standard Chinese export porcelain designs is the so-called ‘Rockefeller’ pattern or Palace ware.
Ming period brick from the Great Wall of China sells at Somerset auction
03 December 2018Included in the sale at Lawrences (22% buyer’s premium) of Crewkerne on October 11 was a brick from the Great Wall of China. It probably dated from the Ming period when Great Wall sections were widely built with fired clay bricks, adhered with lime mortar and sticky rice.
What lots caught bidders’ eyes this week? Five auction highlights including Edmund de Waal’s netsukes and a Lalique bronze hand mirror
30 November 2018ATG’s selection of hammer highlights that sold at auction in the last week including a netsuke collection, a Lalique mirror and rare Georgian silver.
Shout, shout, clear it all out! Tears for Fears sell tour gear to make room
29 November 2018Specialist musical instrument auction house Gardiner Houlgate is to sell a cache of touring equipment from '80s band Tears for Fears.
Commonwealth crackers pair up
26 November 2018This pair of Commonwealth silver plates, London 1645, bear the contemporaneous arms of the Puritan Bulstrode Whitelocke (1605-75).
Silver sells as a Malteser pleaser
26 November 2018Despite its size and various eras of occupation, Malta sustained a vibrant silver and gold-working tradition across several centuries.
Pick of the Week: Late Renaissance novelty that turns water into wine
19 November 2018Of all the types of playful drinking cups or trinkspiel made by Dutch and German goldsmiths during the 16th and 17th centuries, the example offered by Sotheby’s in Paris last week was surely the most elaborate.
Portrait sitter in saleroom as ‘Chinese Mona Lisa’ hits £1.7m
19 November 2018Woolley & Wallis celebrated its 10th £1m-plus lot last week, selling a portrait by Chinese contemporary artist Yang Fei Yun (b.1954) for £1.7m (plus premium). The sitter – the artist’s wife pictured in the early days of their marriage – was in Salisbury to watch the sale.
What lots caught bidders’ eyes this week? Five auction highlights including a ‘Rockefeller' pattern dinner service
16 November 2018ATG’s selection of hammer highlights that sold at auction in the last week, including a ‘Rockefeller' pattern dinner service went over seven-times estimate.
Porcelain specialist retires after more than 50 years of trade
15 November 2018Well-known English porcelain specialist Simon Spero is retiring after a professional career lasting 54 years.
Chinese ‘Mona Lisa’ owned by Body Shop founder Anita Roddick sells for £1.7m at auction – watch video
13 November 2018Woolley & Wallis in Salisbury sold an important oil by Chinese contemporary artist Yang Fei Yun (b.1954) today for £1.7m (plus 25/12% buyer’s premium). It came for sale from the charity established by Body Shop founder Dame Anita Roddick (1942-2007).
Provenance and market freshness key to success for London Chinese works of art sales
13 November 2018Proof once more of the allure of market-fresh goods, the collection of Roger Soame Jenyns (1904-76) excelled at Christie’s Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art sale on November 6.
Pick of the Week: X-ray vision for Soame Jenyns collection at Christie's
12 November 2018Proof once more of the allure of market-fresh goods, the collection of Roger Soame Jenyns (1904-76) excelled at Christie’s Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art sale.
Star Wars memorabilia: John Mollo archive leads selection of auctions this season
12 November 2018With the Star Wars saga now more than 40 years old – and still going strong – the memorabilia market buzzes as never before. With so many of the original fans of the first movies now at prime income-earning age, prices for figures, posters and props continue to rise.
Dix Noonan Webb offers de Temple ring
12 November 2018From c.1969-75, Charles de Temple (b.1929) – the son of the American film actor Tom Mix – created his series of ‘nervous jewels’, employing prickly cultural designs in two-coloured gold wire. This 18ct gold and beryl dress ring is a good example.
Pearl of considerable merit at Roseberys
12 November 2018The exact history of this 200-year-old saltwater pearl is unknown but it is undoubtedly a gem of considerable merit.
Taste of Japan from Rago
12 November 2018Tiffany exhibited only gold jewellery at the 1878 Paris exposition, including a collection of ‘Japanesque’ pieces.