Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
An Only Fools & Horses van and an Arts & Crafts wall clock are among five lots to watch
22 November 2021With estimates from £80-20,000, here are five previews of upcoming items this week.
Original jewellery designs reflecting Glasgow style occupy a distinct market niche
22 November 2021Few lots in the Design since 1860 sale held by Lyon & Turnbull in Edinburgh were more admired than a series of Art Nouveau pencil and watercolour jewellery drawings by Frances Macdonald McNair (1873-1921).
Sword soars to £8200 at Dawsons
22 November 2021Estimated at £200-300, this kaskara sold for £8200 at Dawsons (23% buyer’s premium) in Maidenhead on October 28.
Moose not on the loose
22 November 2021Leering 4ft 7in (1.4m) out from the saleroom wall and with a 4ft 2in (50cm) antlers spread, a massive taxidermy moose head and shoulders was the major trophy at the best-yet biannual Country and Sporting sale at Mitchells (22% buyer’s premium).
Silver drinking novelty sails above estimate
22 November 2021The windmill cup was the most popular of the novelty silver wager cups produced from the late 16th century until the early 18th century.
Take to the floor and do some sums in Abingdon
22 November 2021The Spanish woollen rug illustrated here was pitched at £100-200 in Mallams’ (25% buyer’s premium) Abingdon rooms on October 18.
Aristocratic connections boost rings
22 November 2021In a recent Financial Times article titled 'Dangerous baubles for boys', historian and style journalist Nick Foulkes commented that a friend had “described my hands as looking like a cabinet of curiosities trying to emulate a pair of knuckledusters”.
Spoons serve up taste of the 17th century
22 November 2021As very personal items, typically weighing little more than an ounce of bullion, the most numerous silver survivors from the 17th century are spoons.
Previews: issue 2519
22 November 2021A selection of 15 upcoming lots from auctions taking place around the UK.
Coconut cup brings out the exotic side of Hull
22 November 2021This Charles II silver mounted coconut cup is particularly rare on account of its marks for the Hull silversmith Edward Mangie (1634-85).
Prince Albert’s drawings for Queen Victoria's coronet sell at Colchester auction
22 November 2021The V&A loses out in £23,000 bidding battle for Prince Albert’s drawings of the diamond and sapphire coronet he designed for Queen Victoria.
Up sticks from the Potteries
22 November 2021This pair of William III silver candlesticks came for sale at Potteries Auctions (20% buyer’s premium).
'Tigerware’ beer jug emerges in Cambridge sale
22 November 2021Given their relatively small metal content, many silver-mounted ‘tigerware’ beer jugs survived the great bullion melting of the English Civil War, making them perhaps the most recognised example of late 16th century silver today.
The 6cm shoes for adults
22 November 2021The auction at toy specialist C&T (22% buyer’s premium) in Kenardington, Kent, on November 3 included this very rare pair of doll’s shoes dated to c.1700.
Twenty shining ideas for the gift-giving season
22 November 2021Many sales in late November and early December are assembled with presents in mind and silver and jewellery are much to the fore.
Clay maquette of Winston Churchill stars in our pick of five auction highlights
19 November 2021ATG’s weekly selection of items that caught bidders’ eyes includes a clay maquette of Sir Winston Churchill that soared 13 times over estimate at an auction in Dorset.
Pick of the week: The £6500 fabric of a bitter argument
15 November 2021“From then on, nothing went right. My carpet designs were rejected and my textiles were not required."
Fabergé T-Rex soars at sale thanks to ATG advert
15 November 2021A rare Fabergé jade carving of a Tyrannosaurus Rex emerged for sale at a US regional auction house to sell for $65,000 (£50,000).
Royal connection: King Oscar's telephone at auction
15 November 2021Guaranteed to attract attention at science and technical antiques specialist Auction Team Breker on November 6 was this remarkable Ericsson telephone.
Early English pottery tankards bring strong interest two regional sales
15 November 2021Pictured here are two early English pottery tankards – both of them documentary pieces.