Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
Arts & Crafts ewer, 17th century bible and neoclassical intaglios – five auction highlights that caught bidders’ eyes in the last week
07 February 2020ATG’s selection of hammer highlights this week includes an 18th century Dutch East India Company bell that sold for more than 12-times estimate.
Regional market strong despite a year of turmoil
03 February 2020Business was certainly hard-won but the elite of Britain and Ireland’s regional fine art auction houses enjoyed a largely positive 2019.
Pick of the week: Purse strings open for a rare survivor
03 February 2020An early 17th century Limoges enamel draw purse attracted a flurry of bids at Chorley’s Attic Sale in Gloucestershire. Set with period portraits of a lady on one side and a gentleman on the other, the accessory has remained intact for about 400 years – in most examples the fabric has deteriorated significantly.
Remarkable Chinese vase incorporating ‘Dutch’ figures brings global interest to Pennsylvania auction
03 February 2020A remarkable piece of Qing porcelain sold for $270,000 at Pook & Pook in Downington, Pennsylvania.
Catherine Southon auction to offer late-16th century gaming board found in bombed-out London
03 February 2020“As soon as the vendor pulled the board from her bag, I recognised something of serious interest.”
Five lots to watch at auction this week including a Liberty wool cape featured on BBC's Antiques Roadshow
03 February 2020With estimates from £200-5000 here are five previews of upcoming items this week.
Simple but sophisticated chest boasts ingenious woodworking technique.
03 February 2020Although outwardly simple objects, cedar ‘bent corner’ chests, still made today by the indigenous people of the Pacific North West, employ a number of sophisticated woodworking techniques.
Rudell & Rose flute plays to bidders' tune in Sussex
03 February 2020Popular in the first decades of the 19th century, the eight-key flute is something of a transitional instrument, retaining many of the characteristics of the earlier baroque flute and the modern instrument.
Portrait of England's 'last professional jester' brings major competition
03 February 2020This 18th century English provincial school full-length portrait depicts the jester Black John. He was in the employ of the famously eccentric John Arscott (1718-88) of the Tetcott estate in Devon, said to be the last man in England to keep a professional jester.
Art Deco headlamps, rare Pelham puppet, portrait of an artist’s daughter – five auction highlights that caught bidders’ eyes in the last week
31 January 2020ATG’s selection of hammer highlights this week includes a portrait by Victorian artist John Bagnold Burgess of his daughter and a pair of Woodlite headlamps that both made over 10-times estimate.
Stunning hoard of sealed bottles dug up on a building site could fetch £20,000
27 January 2020A spectacular cache of sealed 17th century bottles unearthed by workmen in Worcestershire will come to auction this year.
Rare Mughal coin spotted hanging on a bracelet sells for £248,000
27 January 2020Discovered hanging on a gold charm bracelet, a rare Mughal coin has sold for Can$420,000 (£248,000) at a Canadian auction house.
Modified Irish seal salver brings £9200 in Exeter sale
27 January 2020On the death of the monarch, or when a statesman left office, it was required by law that any seals of royal authority be broken and defaced.