Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
William and Mary Delftware vases attract interest in US auction
21 August 2026The heyday of Dutch and English tinglazed earthenwares coincided with the reign of William and Mary.
Isfahan to Islington: tiles ended up with ‘almost legendary’ dealer Jack Webb
21 August 2026Safavid examples from the north London dealer's collection find their latest homes after palace demolition
Zoffoli cast of the Farnese Hercules found in a box under the stairs steps up to £12,000 hammer
21 August 2026Giacomo Zoffoli (c.1731-85) and his younger brother Giovanni (c.1745-1805) ran a highly successful workshop in Rome, specialising in the bronze casting of reproductions of antique originals.
‘The discovery of a lifetime’: taxidermy ‘fox head’ turns out to be extinct Tasmanian rarity
18 August 2026A taxidermy ‘fox head’ bought in an antiques market for just £50 has been described as ‘the discovery of a lifetime’ after fetching £50,000 at an auction near Bristol.
Spate of recent thefts from antiques shops and centres
18 August 2026A string of thefts from antiques shops in the Thames Valley, Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire has led to fears more traders could be targeted.
Lowry print market given a fresh kick with new auction record
14 August 2026The auction record for a print by LS Lowry has crept higher.
Pick of the week: Hans Coper Cycladic arrow form hits the spot in collection devoted to craftsmanship
14 August 2026A sale of items from the holdings of a pioneer ‘craft’ collector at Rago-Wright in Lambertville, New Jersey, was topped by a Cycladic arrow form by Hans Coper (1920-81).
Bottle find from beach in Bridlington was made for sauce in Australia
14 August 2026While the Elsecar Heritage Centre in Barnsley is undergoing major restoration work and drainage improvements, many contractors on site have had cause to thank the staff at bottle and advertising specialist BBR Auctions (20% buyer’s premium).
Dunhill cigar box smokin’ hot at £7500
14 August 2026A popular lot at Jacobs & Hunt (25% buyer’s premium) in Liss, Hampshire, on July 16 was this Alfred Dunhill Aquarium walnut and lucite cigar or cigarette box.
Massive Moorcroft marvel was made for the British Empire Exhibition in 1924
14 August 2026A Moorcroft Moonlit Blue Landscape vase made for the British Empire Exhibition in Wembley in 1924 led the Design sale at Lay’s (21% buyer’s premium) in Penzance on July 23.
Hey Diddle Diddle, it’s delftware on sale day
14 August 2026Bonhams’ mixed-owner ceramics sale on June 24-25 featured two exceptional English delftware dishes from ‘a distinguished family collection’ outside the UK.
Ceramics collecting outside a comfort zone
14 August 2026Couple fascinated by worldwide development of ceramics – but with early English makers also prominent
Highly rated Royal Worcester firmly in five figures
14 August 2026Prices for artist-decorated Royal Worcester porcelain have been waning since the collecting peak of the previous century. However, very substantial sums are still possible for the best of the genre.
Slip, slip hooray for launch tickets
07 August 2026A sale at Duke’s in Dorchester included two tickets related to the launching of two of the Olympic class liners in Belfast in 1911.
Maquette made for the Embankment sphinx emerges in Gloucestershire sale
07 August 2026When the ancient Egyptian obelisk known as Cleopatra’s Needle was erected on the Victoria Embankment in 1877, it was set on a massive granite foundation and shortly afterwards flanked by a pair of bronze sphinxes.
Named collections make a memorable sale in Essex
07 August 2026Collections from renowned individuals capture the attention with a wide and varied selection of lots
Creative thinking brings auctions and contemporary art together in Norfolk
07 August 2026Alongside a busy auction operation, Bishop & Miller has opened a permanent art gallery in its premises near Glandford, Norfolk.