Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
Silk programmes signalled a stirring firework show
16 December 2024The spectacular Victorian and Edwardian firework displays conducted by the venerable Mitcham firm of James Pain & Sons were often accompanied by special silk souvenir programmes.
Get to the point at £4000
16 December 2024Among the most eagerly contested lots in a recent sale at Chorley’s (23.5/15/12.5/10% buyer’s premium) was a collection of early 20th century tattoo ephemera.
Ottoman swords give talismanic protection
16 December 2024The semi-precious stones adorning the hilts and scabbards of many of the best Ottoman swords held talismanic significance.
Education of the poor promoted through needlework and knitting
16 December 2024Manual relating to church charity schools is the latest example of its type to impress in a saleroom
Rhode Island firm offered tankard by an Englishman
16 December 2024A Gorham Martelé covered silver tankard hammered for $7500 (£5875) at Grogan & Company (25% buyer’s premium) in Boston at its September 26 Silver and Decorative Arts sale. It was estimated at $2000-3000.
Royal wedding fruitcake served with a tasty extra
16 December 2024Generating a huge amount of international media coverage both before and after Reeman Dansie’s (25% buyer’s premium) November 5 sale titled Royalty, Antiques & Fine Art was a piece of fruitcake from the wedding of Princess Elizabeth to Lieutenant Prince Philip of Greece on November 20, 1947.
Christo’s Abu Dhabi public art concept that barrels on after his death
16 December 2024An original drawing for the project that Christo (1935-2020) intended as his only permanent, large-scale public artwork emerged at a recent Chiswick Auctions (26% buyer’s premium) sale.
The Noah’s Ark animals came in two by two – until there were an astonishing 115 pairs of them
16 December 2024The production of carved and painted pine toys in Erzgebirge, Bavaria, became a thriving cottage industry.
Hopetoun monteith resurfaces in Canada
16 December 2024A familiar and important piece of Scottish silver appeared at Waddington’s (25/22% buyer’s premium) auction in Toronto on November 7.
‘Worthy of a Hollywood film’: Dog of War medal sells to family of heroic canine’s original owner
10 December 2024A Dickin Medal – the animal equivalent of the VC – has sold for £50,000 at coin and medal auctioneers Morton and Eden.
Qing dragon bowls soar above £200-400 guide to take £250,000 in Newcastle sale
09 December 2024This pair of 5in (13cm) Qing bowls, each very finely decorated in iron red with dragons among cloud scrolls and stylised waves soared above their estimate of £200-400 to sell for £250,000 at Anderson & Garland on November 28.
Pick of the Week: Teatime with the Martin family
09 December 2024A forgotten moment from the engaging story of the Martin family of potters is told through a teapot sold at Woolley & Wallis’ British Art Pottery & Design auction on December 3.
Fur flies: Limehouse cat sets a new auction high
09 December 2024A new record for Limehouse porcelain was set at Bonhams’ Fine Glass and British Ceramics sale for a recently discovered second known slip-cast cat model.
Commedia dell’arte plate is among six lots to watch
09 December 2024With estimates from £400, here are six previews of items coming up at auction this week
Rare curtains with complex patterns come from Scottish castle collection
09 December 2024The Fashion, Costume and Textiles Sale at Tennants (24% buyer’s premium) on November 22 was led by a rare pair of Palampore curtains.
Lost wax lalique finds admirers
09 December 2024Sale including pieces produced by French designer in cire perdue technique attracts international interest
US trade ‘cautiously optimistic’ after legal breakthrough over New York ivory restrictions
02 December 2024The two leading US trade associations have won a legal challenge against a law that said dealers in New York could not display antiques made from more than 20% elephant ivory.
Celebrating a skilled Sèvres decorator as cup and saucer fly to 80 times estimate
02 December 2024A cabinet cup and saucer decorated by perhaps the most skilled of all Sèvres painters was spotted for sale in Derbyshire.
Rediscovered Fontana portraits to go on public display
02 December 2024Two previously lost works by Italian painter Lavinia Fontana (1552-1614) will go on display in the new year after recently appearing at auction. Fontana has been described as the first female career artist in western Europe as her family relied on her income.