Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
Martin face jug ‘we trust you will like’
07 October 2024Not only was this Robert Wallace Martin (1843-1923) stoneware ‘face’ jug deemed an excellent example of its type, but it was sold with a hand-written letter to David Oxen Esq, the original buyer of the jug in 1914.
Small thing, big satisfaction
07 October 2024The Scottish printer David Bryce (1845-1923) said that when he “descended to the miniature, mite and midget size” he had “many a scoff and jeer as to the absurdity of the production”.
Voysey rose to the occasion for textiles
07 October 2024In 1897 Charles Francis Annesley Voysey agreed a contract with Alexander Morton and Co to provide designs for a minimum of 10 textile designs each year for five years.
Art Nouveau & Art Deco previews including a Birmingham Guild brass panel
07 October 2024A selection of upcoming lots focusing on stand-out items from two key design movements
'Wavy edged' Chinese export silver bowl features among five lots to watch
07 October 2024With estimates from £350, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week
Tinworth? Doulton Lambeth? That rings a bell
07 October 2024Designed by George Tinworth, c.1885, this Doulton Lambeth spill vase commemorates the first transatlantic phone call between the UK and the US.
European avant garde design embraced by American silversmith
07 October 2024Relatively little is known about the German-born artist and designer Elsa Tennhardt (1899-1980).
Hawker aluminium furniture gives a lift to Bucks auction
07 October 2024A recent sale at Claydon Auctioneers (21.5% buyer’s premium) in Buckinghamshire included a suite of aluminium bedroom furniture by the HG Hawker Engineering Company.
Eduard Wiiralt etchings bring fervent bidding at US auction
04 October 2024Two of the most familiar works by Estonian graphic artist Eduard Wiiralt (1898-1954) came for sale at a recent sale at Revere Auctions in St Paul, Minnesota.
‘The largest selection of Fishley pottery to be included in a single auction’
03 October 2024An impressive array of North Devon pottery dating from the 18th to the 20th century comes for sale at Chilcotts in Honiton on October 12.
First known ‘romantic’ photograph of an interracial couple in the US comes to auction
03 October 2024On October 26, Freeman’s Hindman in Cincinnati will offer what is believed to be the first American photograph of a romantically posed interracial couple.
Cabinet showing 17th century ‘globalisation’ in action makes over 90 times estimate
02 October 2024Due to the fact that they represent a meeting of three continents and cultures, barniz de Pasto (Pasto varnish) boxes have recently been described by Jorge F Rivas Perez, curator of Latin American Art at the Denver Art Museum, as ‘some of the first works of a globalised world’.
Window panel from Getty collection reaches six figures at Stair Galleries
01 October 2024A final treasure from the Ann and Gordon Getty collection excelled at the latest sale at Stair Galleries in Hudson, New York.
'Unique' yellow coronation mug sets record for a Ravilious ceramic
01 October 2024A rare colourway of the Ravilious for Wedgwood coronation mug took a bid of £13,500 at Gildings – a record price for Ravilious ceramics.
Ivory Act extension to pass ‘when time allows’
30 September 2024The UK ban on the trade in antique scrimshaw and narwhal tusks has been delayed following the change of government.
Punning box found among bric-a-brac makes four figure sum
30 September 2024Plucked from a box of bric-a-brac brought in for a general sale, a Commonwealth gilt brass sealing wax box sold for £5200 at Lawrences of Crewkerne. A clever pun gives a clue to its maker’s identity - and perhaps his political leanings.
The relics of the Penal Laws that were bought by County Donegal pilgrims
30 September 2024Penal crosses take their name from the series of laws that restricted the rights of Roman Catholics and other nonconformists.
Mystical posters mesmerise collectors at auction
30 September 2024A recent Vintage Posters sale at Swann Galleries (25/20/12% buyer’s premium), a summer staple of the New York auction house, was dominated by three large early 20th century magic posters, each hammering for $22,000 (£16,650).
Sock drawer discovery is medieval gaming piece
30 September 2024A medieval walrus ivory gaming piece, recently found by a Gorringe’s valuer in a sock drawer, comes for sale in Lewes on October 8. As part of the Interiors & Decorative Arts Sale it has an estimate of £10,000-15,000