Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
Find out what is on the cards in future sale
04 September 2023This set of 36 cards is an early edition of what became known as 'Petit Etteilla' cartomancy (fortune-telling) cards.
Toys from short-lived British firm Sacul come to auction in Pittsburgh
04 September 2023These boxed hollow-cast figures of Peter Pan and Captain Hook in a sword fight were made by Sacul in the early 1950s to coincide with the Walt Disney movie release.
Telling time on the front line
04 September 2023‘Wristlets’ bridged the gap as pocket watches transitioned into the modern wristwatch during the Great War but had a significant design flaw in the hinged cover still in place.
Jeweller Cipullo works his alchemy at auction
04 September 2023The Cartier Love Bracelet – the plain gold band with screwheads to lock it around the wearer’s wrist – has become one of the most recognised pieces of modern jewellery.
The second sleeper in Colchester: an intaglio ring emerges at auction
04 September 2023The north European Mannerist bronze sold for £550,000 against a guide of £250-350 was not the only spectacular sleeper in the August 8 sale at Reeman Dansie (22.5% buyer’s premium).
Metal detectorist discoveries continue to appeal at auction
04 September 2023Metal detectorists continue to be the best supply of ancient and medieval jewels onto the market.
Twentieth century art amassed by two generations of Ohio collectors
04 September 2023On September 14, Caza Sikes in Cincinnati will offer an 86-lot sale of avant garde 20th century art and sculpture bought by two generations of an Ohio family.
Rediscovered John Constable oil sketch emerges in Channel Islands auction
01 September 2023A recently rediscovered oil sketch of Willy Lott’s House by John Constable (1776-1837) will be offered in the Channel Islands this month. Martel Maides Auctions expect it to sell for £80,000-120,000 on September 21.
Earthly pleasures: Avisseau's basin draws dramatic bidding at Strawser’s auction
28 August 2023This Palissy-style ‘art of the earth’ basin is inscribed and dated 'Avisseau, Tours, 1856' for Charles-Jean Avisseau (1795-1861).
A Victorian coffee maker and a racing pigeon picture are among five lots to watch
28 August 2023With estimates from £300, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week.
Doulton jug does its Nelson duty
28 August 2023The salt-glazed portrait jug of Nelson by Doulton & Watts of Lambeth is considered the first character jug made by Doulton
What’s your poison? Auction lots show bottles evolved for safety reasons
28 August 2023Bottles with fatal content had to be specially designed and coloured to avoid a nasty accident
Desirable Doulton: inkwells and ashtray
28 August 2023The most eagerly contested lot in a recent sale at Potteries Auctions (25% buyer’s premium) was a Doulton stoneware Isobath inkwell.
‘Earliest international rugby cap’ at auction
28 August 2023This faded red-brown velvet cap worn by Alfred St George Hamersley (1848-1929) is believed to be the earliest rugby international cap to come to auction.
Sip soup from a Minton boar’s head
28 August 2023The boar’s head tureen with matching stand is considered the rarest of all the game tureens made by the Minton factory in its colourful majolica range.
Rare Canadiana in Sussex… and another Norman Bobins
28 August 2023Estimated at £300-500, a group of five hand-coloured prints of early 19th century Canada sold for £8500 at Gorringe’s (25% buyer’s premium) in Lewes.
Auctioneer Alan Blakeman: ‘Someone accused me of making these bottle find stories up…’
28 August 2023By their nature, rare bottles can emerge for sale in some unlikely places
Bizarre beast catches the attention
28 August 2023A curious pearlware pottery hybrid animal with the head of a sheep and body of a winged fish proved a popular entry at Toovey’s (24.5% buyer’s premium).
Goss Harvard rarity emerges in a group lot
28 August 2023Forty years ago, the market for crested china was booming – the subject of specialist sales, annual price guides and an international collecting base