Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
Timely Cartier lot at Sworders
12 November 2018The Fine Jewellery and Watches auction at Sworders of Stansted Mountfitchet on November 20 will include this Cartier Art Deco rose-cut diamond, black and white enamel and seed pearl-set pendant watch, c.1915.
Doyle offers California style in New York
12 November 2018The sale titled California Jewelry held by Doyle in New York on November 19 includes some fine period pieces sourced by the Manhattan firm via its West Coast office.
Van Cleef & Arpels in tune at Skinner
12 November 2018This novel 14ct gold, cabochon emerald, diamond, and ruby brooch by Van Cleef & Arpels carries an estimate of $5000-7000 at Skinner of Boston’s sale of Important Jewelry on December 4.
Rare ‘tropical’ Omega Speedy keeps market time with Rolex
12 November 2018There was a time when vintage Omega represented a cost-effective alternative to vintage Rolex. Today, the rule does not always apply.
Creative Devlin at Dreweatts
12 November 2018This amethyst and cultured pearl ring and brooch is by Stuart Devlin (1931-2018) – the Australian-born designer and craftsman the Duke of Edinburgh described as “probably the most original and creative goldsmith and silversmith of his time, and one of the greats of all time”.
More gems from the turn of the century
12 November 2018Dr Anne Shannon would no doubt have admired these three pieces of turn of the century jewellery sold at UK regional salerooms in recent weeks.
A £1900 diamond in the rough
12 November 2018An unusual entry to Hansons’ September auction in Teddington, south-west London, was a ‘diamond’ in the rough – an uncut 5ct crystal still in its original carrier stone.
Medieval brooch at TimeLine
12 November 2018This well-preserved medieval annular brooch set with cabochon rubies and sapphires is a rare survivor from the 14th century.
Diamonds highlight a luxury comeback
12 November 2018By the 1950s, as the global economic landscape improved, luxury was making a comeback and so too was the prolific use of diamonds in the jewellery of France’s premier ateliers.
Charterhouse star brooch could shine
12 November 2018The Charterhouse two-day November 15-16 auction in Sherborne includes a substantial selection of jewellery and watches.
Better by design: the Anne Shannon collection at auction in Salisbury
12 November 2018The sale of the Anne Shannon collection of British and Continental designer jewellery will live long in the memory.
Renaissance ring joins Salisbury double act
12 November 2018Woolley & Wallis followed the Shannon collection with a mixed-owner sale on November 1. Together the auctions brought a premium-inclusive £2.1m.
Elizabeth Gage rings at Heritage
12 November 2018Heritage Auctions’ Fine Jewelry Signature sale in New York on December 3 includes two rings by London-based designer and virtuoso goldsmith Elizabeth Gage.
Five lots that caught bidders’ eyes this week including a Regency table, a Maltese silver bowl and a Beatles poster
09 November 2018ATG’s selection of hammer highlights that sold at auction in the last week include a Regency rosewood table and a Beatles poster from a Leeds Queen's Hall appearance.
Charles Rennie Mackintosh tearoom chairs sit comfortably at a combined £150,000
05 November 2018Two Charles Rennie Mackintosh chairs made for Glasgow’s Argyle Street Tea Rooms starred at Lyon & Turnbull’s Decorative Arts sale in Edinburgh last week.
Break-out price from Mafeking siege case
05 November 2018A German silver cigarette case, sold for £4600 at C&T Auctioneers (20% buyer’s premium) in Tunbridge Wells on October 24, was engraved with a detailed scene from the Siege of Mafeking – the famous Boer War defence of a small town commanded by Robert Baden-Powell.
Awards for excellence mark start of Asian Art in London
05 November 2018Copenhagen auction house Bruun Rasmussen and London dealer Grace Tsumugi Fine Art were the recipients of the 2018 Asian Art in London Awards, co-sponsored by ATG.
Great lookers eyed on the same day by Newbury auctioneer
05 November 2018“The chances of finding one that had been bought in a £90 box lot was probably one in a million; the chances of finding two more on the same day are incalculable.” Scientific instruments expert Hugo Marsh was talking about specialist camera lenses he was shown in September, first by a south-coast vendor, then by a West Country enthusiast, which sold at Special Auction Services (17.5% buyer’s premium) at Newbury on October 23.
Books from Ireland's Dromoland castle offered in Florida auction
05 November 2018The sale to held by Blackwell auctions in Florida on November 10 will include a selection of books from the library of Dromoland Castle, the Irish castle in County Clare where the historic ‘Armada table’ sold last month by Adam’s in Drogheda, Ireland, for €360,000 was housed for 300 years (ATG No 2364).
Sales in North America: previews of 10 upcoming lots including a Maurice Guiraud-Rivier figure
05 November 2018A selection of preview highlights from upcoming American auctions, including a terracotta bust by Maurice Guiraud-Rivier.