Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
London Scottish Regimental Trust to sell Victoria Cross to fund upkeep of Westminster home
09 February 2024The London Scottish Regimental Trust is putting up for auction one of the three Victoria Crosses that it holds.
Silver under the floorboards and vinaigrettes in the cooker
08 February 2024The extraordinary collection of the Bath dealer-collector George Withers (1946-2023) comes for sale across three days and two salerooms later this month.
Collection of Anglo-American art and antiques dealer Warner Dailey comes to Essex auction
06 February 2024Items from the remarkable collection of Warner Dailey come to auction this month.
Third Qing ‘dragon boat’ flask emerges in US
05 February 2024A famille rose porcelain moon flask, possibly made at the imperial kilns for the Qing emperor Jiaqing, took more than 75-times estimate at auction.
Pick of the week: Chippendale’s Brocket Hall suite
05 February 2024A set of six George III giltwood side chairs made by Thomas Chippendale for Brocket Hall, Hertfordshire sold at Dreweatts on January 31.
Petition crown sets British silver coin record
05 February 2024A new auction record for an English silver coin was set during the New York International Numismatic Convention (NYINC).
Props from Netflix’s The Crown are among five lots to watch
05 February 2024With estimates from £3000, here are five previews of upcoming items.
Firm known for cameras also created this work of art
05 February 2024The Victorian artist’s box, an essential accessory for any 19th century amateur, doesn’t get much better than this example sold for $5000 (£4000) at Briggs Auction Co (28% buyer’s premium) in Garnet Valley, Pennsylvania, on December 8.
American tazza was designed by a Danish silversmith
05 February 2024A rare silver and turquoise tazza designed by Erik Magnussen (1884-1961) for the Gorham Manufacturing Company sold for $24,000 (£19,000) at Schwenke Auctioneers (29/27% buyer’s premium) in Woodbury, Connecticut.
Native American mask makes 140 times the top guide
05 February 2024A 19th century Native American wolf mask, once used in religious ceremonies on the Northwest coast, emerged from the obscurity of a £50-100 estimate to bring £14,000 at auction in Hertfordshire.
Ultimate example of nepotism from Napoleon
05 February 2024Biennais bronzes portrayed Napoleon and the many family members he appointed to poweful positions
Bereny tobacco advert poster: a good little burner
05 February 2024An original version of one of the great Art Deco posters emerged at Sapphire Auction Gallery (20% buyer’s premium).
Dealer Bruce Knight’s personal collecting taste was a cut above
05 February 2024An 18th century Native American trade axe pipe linked to the great Shawnee chief and warrior Tecumseh (1768-1813) was the runaway performer when the collection of Ohio dealer and entrepreneur Bruce Knight was dispersed in the first days of the New Year.
Shaving mugs attract top prices from foam bidders
05 February 2024A staple at American barber shops of the 19th and early 20th centuries was the occupational shaving mug.
Argentinian artist Demarco’s world is full of kinetic energy
05 February 2024The top lot at Leonard Auction’s (25% buyer’s premium) December 10 sale in Addison, Illinois, was a work by the Argentinian Op artist Hugo Rodolfo Demarco (1932-95).
Cranach ‘copies from 19th century’ carry their own value
05 February 2024Among the most contested lots at Nadeau’s (23% buyer’s premium) sale on January 1 was a set of miniature watercolour and gouache portraits credited to a follower of the German court painter Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472-1553).
Mixed fortunes for rediscovered Rubens and van Dyck self portraits in New York auction
02 February 2024Two recent art market discoveries, both self-portraits by titans of 17th century British art, met contrasting fortunes in New York.
Maltese silver coffee pot shines at auction
01 February 2024An exceptional Maltese silver coffee pot took six-times estimate at auction.
Last hurrah for the Ann and Gordon Getty collection
31 January 2024Finding antiques with the wow factor was Ann Getty’s forte and she did it with great dedication, some good advice and an outstanding bank balance.