Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
Howzat for a marble sculpture thought to be one of the first depictions of a cricketer
02 January 2024A white marble sculpture of a young man holding what appears to be a cricket ball flew away from its estimate to bring $30,000 (£23,700) at Andrew Jones (25% buyer’s premium).
Pick of the week: Mexican nun’s badge found in Norfolk
02 January 2024The Christmas Gifts sale at TW Gaze in Diss included a rare example of 18th century Catholic colonial jewellery: a Mexican 'escudo de monja' or nun’s badge.
Ambrose Gardner signs in at auction
02 January 2024Very few English Golden Age clocks signed by Ambrose Gardner are recorded.
Komai casket demonstrates Meiji metalwork at its very best
02 January 2024The Komai family of sword makers and armourers were among the many Japanese metalworkers courting a new clientele during the Meiji period (1868-1912).
Tale of an 18th century US journey returns Stateside
02 January 2024Bidder in Massachusetts goes to £24,000 to secure an account of a 1764 trip along the eastern seaboard
Life of a debutante — and views of destroyed ships
02 January 2024The handstitched booklet titled Balls & My Partners, 1844-1845 was written by Adelaide Horatia Elizabeth Seymour (1825-77) as she enjoyed the life of a debutante.
Forster’s letters and books to the policeman he loved
02 January 2024Letters and books marking the deep relationship between author EM Forster and policeman Bob Buckingham and his family sold for £9000.
Items collected by renowned dealer Ernest Brummer take high prices
02 January 2024Antiquities from the collection of famed works of art dealer Ernest Brummer (1891-1964) sold for a combined total of over $2m at Hindman (26/20/15% buyer’s premium) in Chicago.
Bowie lyrics make a stellar result in Merseyside sale
02 January 2024The music memorabilia sale at Omega (28.8% buyer’s premium inc VAT) on November 29 included the handwritten lyrics to two tracks on David Bowie’s 1972 classic The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.
Micromosaic plaque with maximum decorative effect
02 January 2024Estimated at $2500-3500, this micromosaic plaque depicting the Rape of Europa hammered for $13,000 (£10,300).
Tiny but with 48 blades — a remarkable exhibition knife
01 January 2024It was with dazzling exhibition pieces that Joseph Rodgers & Sons made its reputation as Sheffield’s foremost knifemaker.
Exceptional 19th century miniature penknife stars in our pick of five auction highlights
21 December 2023ATG’s weekly selection of items that caught bidders’ eyes includes a rare Joseph Rogers & Sons miniature penknife made for royal presentation that more than doubled estimate.
‘True masterpiece’ bowl brings a new auction high for studio potter Lucie Rie
18 December 2023The market for Lucie Rie ceramics continues to reach new heights.
Pick of the week: Scientist made his living as a painter
18 December 2023The most remarkable result at Cheffins’ Fine Art Sale in Cambridge was provided by a group of four ‘English School’ plumbago on vellum portrait miniatures.
Smoking causes healthy results: tobacco related items
18 December 2023Corporate collection of British American Tobacco includes choice antique items related to the habit
Copeland dinner service came from Lowther sale
18 December 2023There were many massive English country house sales in the 20th century but the largest by volume was the contents sale at Lowther Castle during April, May and June 1947.
Regency sofas with a rich provenance
18 December 2023The Fine & Decorative Interiors sale at The Pedestal (25% buyer’s premium) included a pair of Regency white painted and gilt sofas with a rich provenance.
Brooch was ‘gift from Duke and Duchess of Windsor’
18 December 2023The sale at Young’s (25% buyer’s premium) in Farnham, Surrey, on November 25 included jewels and objects of vertu with royal provenances.