Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
Alexander’s distater – the spoils of conquest
12 September 2022Alexander the Great’s conquest of the Persian Achaemenid empire delivered into his hands a vast wealth.
Gold from buttons
12 September 2022The Premier Sale held by St James’s Auctions on September 22 includes this gold half guinea token with a ‘phoenix from the flames’ motif made for Wilson and Younge of Sheffield in 1812.
Nantes expo gold medal emerges at Harmers
12 September 2022Although an auction house since 1918, stamps specialist Harmers is a relative newcomer to the London numismatic sales.
A hoard under boards emerges at Spink
12 September 2022The 264 English gold coins in the so-called Ellerby Hoard, uncovered by a Yorkshire family while re-laying a floor in an 18th century home, range from the reign of James I to George I.
Buying British abroad as rare coins emerge in Germany and Monaco
12 September 2022Away from London, some exceptional coin sales coming up in Europe include a number of outstanding British issues.
Fowler’s star award on offer at Sovereign Rarities
12 September 2022The Royal Medal for Astronomy is presented each year by the Royal Society for distinguished contributions to the applied sciences.
‘The King of Desks’ comes to the UK
12 September 2022A recent sale at Mander Auctions (20% buyer’s premium) in Sudbury was topped by this textbook example of late 19th century American furniture: the Wooton secretaire desk.
Russian incense burner stars in our latest pick of five auction highlights
09 September 2022ATG’s weekly selection of items that caught bidders’ eyes includes a 19th century Russian silver, gilt and enamel incense burner that made over 30-times estimate in Bedford.
A piece of Mouseman furniture and a psychologist's portrait are among six lots to watch
05 September 2022With estimates from £200-6000, here are six previews of items coming up at auction this week.
Qing trophy won by an Australian bidder
05 September 2022Cheffins’ (24.5% buyer’s premium) latest silver offering in Cambridge was topped by a Qing trophy, c.1850.
Brontë family link boosts silver jug result
05 September 2022Tennants’ (20% buyer’s premium) summer silver sale included a Victorian jug by Robert Hennell with Brontë family connections.
Silver: The growing fame of the Highlands ‘hammermen’
05 September 2022Edinburgh auction highlights work of the Highlands silversmiths who operated far from the control of the assay office in the Scottish capital
Victorian kettle modelled as a curling stone doubles estimate in Edinburgh
05 September 2022Nineteenth and early 20th century novelty silver continues to be one of the strengths of the collecting category.
Previews: issue 2558
05 September 2022A selection of eight upcoming lots from auctions taking place around the UK and Ireland.
Famous owners Tuke and Klimt enhance early 20th century items
05 September 2022This textbook Edwardian Arts & Crafts planished silver chalice by Omar Ramsden and fellow Sheffield-born designer Alwyn Carr, pictured below, is of extra interest for its inscription.
Irish ‘freedom’ boxes bring fierce bidding battles in Oxfordshire auction
05 September 2022The sale at Swan Fine Art (21% buyer’s premium) in Tetsworth, Oxfordshire, on August 11-12 included two Irish ‘freedom’ boxes, c.1775.
Chippendale chairs feature at Sotheby’s sale of the Joseph Hotung collection
30 August 2022Sotheby’s will sell around 400 works from the collection of the late Sir Joseph Hotung (1930-2021) across a series of dedicated auctions in Hong Kong in October and London in December.
Pick of the week: Large bill – swans book flies away for £54,000
29 August 2022A two-volume manuscript used to determine swan ownership in East Anglia from the 16th to the 19th century was sold by Sworders for a remarkable £54,000 (plus 25% buyer’s premium).
Second World War nurse's cloak is among five lots to watch this week
29 August 2022With estimates from £150-4500, here are five previews of items upcoming up at auction this week.
Coleridge collection up for sale at Bellmans
29 August 2022Bellmans is selling the collection of Anthony and Marietta Coleridge on September 7-8.