Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
Provenance is key to cong result
02 January 2023Neolithic jade congs – the inspiration for many pieces of Qing and later porcelain – are probably some of the most intriguing objects from ancient Chinese culture.
Vietnamese focus at UK sales
02 January 2023Vietnamese buyers have sent the best works of art from the Le (1428-1789) and Nguyen (1802-1945) dynasties to unchartered territory in recent years.
Asian art: Look through a lens of Tibetan Buddhism
02 January 2023Creative examples featured in recent UK auctions show the influence of religion and culture on the Manchu rulers of the Qing
George I walnut ‘combination’ furniture stars in our pick of five auction highlights
23 December 2022ATG’s weekly selection of items that caught bidders’ eyes includes a rare piece of furniture combining a desk and chest of drawers that made over six times estimate in Dublin.
Auction record for Meissen vases
21 December 2022A new record for a pair of Meissen porcelain vases was set by a previously unrecorded example offered at Bonhams.
Creature comforts made by renowned Hanau silversmith
19 December 2022The most famous of the many silversmiths in the German city of Hanau in the late 19th century was Neresheimer & Söhne.
Pick of the week: EH Shepard's Wind in the Willows drawing sells with a swagger at auction
19 December 2022Since its first publication in 1908, Kenneth Grahame’s 'The Wind in the Willows' has appeared in various editions and reprints illustrated by nearly 50 artists.
Smart’s famous Frant folk art found twice
19 December 2022At Frant there dwells a Man of fame. By trade a Tailor, Smart by name.
Panini Mexico 70 stickers are the pick of the bunch
19 December 2022The Panini company, founded by two brothers in Modena in 1961, began life producing football cards of Serie A teams.
Sixteen lots from renowned Transitional porcelain collection reunited after Hong Kong sale
19 December 2022Sir Michael Butler (1927-2013) was part of that post-war generation of ‘gentlemen in the professions’ who chose collecting as their primary leisure activity.
Boney and Pitt slice up globe for dessert
19 December 2022'Plumb-pudding in danger or State Epicures taking un Petit Souper' is the most famous of all James Gillray’s satirical caricatures and perhaps the most well-known of all Georgian political cartoons.
Previews: issue 2573
19 December 2022A selection of seven upcoming lots from auctions taking place around the UK.
Thai 10 Baht now worth £12,000
19 December 2022This Thailand 10 Baht note appears to be a printer’s design that was unissued.
Top-selling Chinese lacquer dish stars in our pick of five auction highlights
16 December 2022ATG’s weekly selection of items that caught bidders’ eyes includes a rare 14th century carved lacquer dish that made over 50-times estimate in Gloucestershire.
Japanese vase's icy blast gets a warm welcome at Bath auction
12 December 2022The Makuzu Kozan workshop was established by Miyagawa Kozan (1842- 1916) in Yokohama, one of the main portals of trade with the West, in 1871.
Dramatic contest for emperor’s head at Sotheby's auction
12 December 2022A bust of Roman emperor Antoninus Pius sold for more than ten-times its low estimate at a Sotheby's sale
Hotung ‘jewel in the crown’ Degas proves precious at auction
12 December 2022The second tranche of the collection of Hong Kong property investor Sir Joseph Hotung (1930-2021) generated some strong competition at Sotheby’s in London with a number of high-value pictures, as well some exceptional pieces of furniture, ceramics and decorative art, on offer last week.
A Jacobean double portrait and a 1950s Bakelite telephone are among six lots to watch
12 December 2022With estimates from £500, here are six previews of items coming up at auction this week.
George Richardson: a man with high standards
12 December 2022The sale at Minster Auctions (20% buyer’s premium) in Leominster on November 24 included a copy of an important work on neoclassical interiors.
Ugly, venomous but proves so precious
12 December 2022Found by head of department Catriona Smith in a box of mixed jewellery, this rare 16th or 17th century gold ‘toadstone’ ring came for sale at Sworders (25% buyer’s premium).