Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
“The longest time I have ever spent on the rostrum” – Lyon & Turnbull’s live online sale delivers results
03 April 2020Lyon & Turnbull held a remarkably successful sale of Decorative Arts on April 1 – the firm’s first using the ‘live online’ format.
A lion and stallion bronze sculpture, a May Morris panel and a Chinese dragon dish – five auction highlights that caught bidders’ eyes
03 April 2020ATG’s selection of hammer highlights this week includes a striking bronze of a lion attacking a horse that sold at 22-times its top estimate.
Pick of the week: Mah-jong set that counts for a lot
30 March 2020The popular Chinese game of mah-jong is a relative newcomer.
Exotic touch to anniversary auction with Australian picture at Surrey sale
30 March 2020An early coastal scene of Australia sold for more than five times its top estimate to an online buyer from New South Wales at Ewbank’s anniversary sale.
Immortal bowl’s lasting effect
30 March 2020This Yongzheng (1722-35) mark and period Eight Immortals bowl sold for £26,000 at the Hansons (20% buyer’s premium) auction in Teddington last month.
The minaudière from Mr Arpels
30 March 2020The minaudière, a case for storing several personal items in a small space, first appeared during the 1930s.
How old values still stand firm today
30 March 2020Three Victorian bangles were among the most popular lots of Dreweatts’ (25/20/12% buyer’s premium) sale of Fine Jewellery, Silver, Watches and Objects of Vertu.
Natural topaz commands a premium at Barbara Kirk
30 March 2020Topaz in its natural state is a golden brown to yellow, a characteristic which means it is sometimes confused with the less valuable gemstone citrine.
A collection of Georgian and Victorian jewellery to remember
30 March 2020A recent Stroud Auctions sale featured a private collection of more than 120 pieces of Georgian and Victorian jewellery. Most were rings, among them many examples of mourning jewellery in a wide range of forms and materials.
A ‘sing-song’ for the inventive James Cox
30 March 2020The London entrepreneur James Cox (c.1723-1800) is best known as a specialist in the intricate clockwork curios encrusted with gold, silver and jewel, referred to as ‘sing-songs.’
Eros and the grasshopper
30 March 2020This Grand Tour-era ring sold at Great Western Auctions (20% buyer’s premium) in Glasgow features an unusual banded carnelian intaglio carved with a putti holding the leg of a large grasshopper.
Self-portrait shows Barry in a sorry state
30 March 2020Two versions of a rare mezzotint self-portrait by the Irish artist James Barry (1741-1806) excelled when offered for sale at Forum Auctions. Both plates, one an unrecorded proof impression, the other possibly inscribed by the artist, took multi-estimate sums from online bidders.
Poniatowski ‘fakes’ bring £15,500
30 March 2020This collection of 10 carnelian intaglios carved to depict classical figures and scenes once formed part of the collection of Prince Stanislas Poniatowski (1754-1833). His past possessions are always of interest to collectors.
Timely reminder of Byron in the saleroom
30 March 2020Association with the name boosts value as part of a sale dedicated to the poet.
Vendors support Lyon & Turnbull’s move to sell online
27 March 2020The Edinburgh and London auction house Lyon & Turnbull is to press ahead with its two April sales as ‘live online only’ events. The firm’s sales of Decorative Arts: Design since 1860 (April 1) and Contemporary & Post-War Art (April 16) will feature auctioneer Gavin Strang on the rostrum in Edinburgh but no one else in the room.
Rembrandt self-portrait, yachting watch and a portrait by a British society artist – five auction highlights that caught bidders’ eyes
27 March 2020ATG’s selection of hammer highlights this week includes an early self-portrait print by Rembrandt selling at 40 times its top estimate and a portrait of a young woman by British ‘society’ artist Ambrose McEvoy.
Online bidders snap up rare James Barry prints at Forum Auctions
26 March 2020Two versions of a rare mezzotint self-portrait by the Irish artist James Barry (1741-1806) excelled when offered for sale at Forum Auctions. Both plates, one an unrecorded proof impression, the other possibly inscribed by the artist, took multi-estimate sums from online bidders.
Historic archive of Second World War floating harbour designer bought at auction by museum
24 March 2020An historic archive belonging to the engineer who oversaw the design of the Mulberry Harbours in the Second World War has been bought by a museum after being offered at Mitchells’ auction last week.
A market still ticking as pocket watches bring demand at Lawrences of Bletchingley
23 March 2020A superb collection of 61 pocket watches drew strong demand at a Surrey auction last week as remote bidders, using the phone and online platforms, competed for some outstanding 17th, 18th and 19th century examples.
Pick of the week: Rare The Who poster – once in a Blue Moon chance for collectors
23 March 2020The Blue Moon, a club above Burton’s on Cheltenham High Street, existed for less than two years from July 1965 to May 1967, but in that time the compact 250-capacity venue with a tiny stage hosted Elton John, David Bowie, Eric Clapton, Fleetwood Mac, The Yardbirds and (on February 11, 1967) Jimi Hendrix.