Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
Rare toby jug, King James Bible and a Chinese lacquer workbox – five auction highlights that caught bidders’ eyes in the last week
02 August 2019ATG’s selection of hammer highlights over the past week includes a second edition of the King James Bible from c.1613 and a mid-19th century Chinese gilt and black lacquer workbox.
Buyer’s premium rise for leading UK coin auctioneer
29 July 2019Dix Noonan Webb (DNW) has become the first UK numismatics auctioneer to set its buyer’s premium beyond 20%. The London-based coins, medal and jewellery specialist will charge a premium of 24% from September.
Spider-Man's debut and other Silver Age rarities among massive Newcastle comics auction
23 July 2019Newcastle-upon-Tyne auction house Anderson & Garland will begin the sale of a vast number of vintage comics this week.
Bids pour in for Tiffany tea caddy with Japanese elements
22 July 2019An unusual entry to the latest Silver & Objects of Vertu sale at Woolley & Wallis in Salisbury was this 5in (13cm) silver and mixed metal tea caddy by Tiffany & Co.
Auction record as Boba Fett blasts to new Star Wars high
22 July 2019An auction record for a Star Wars toy was established when Hake’s Auctions of York, Pennsylvania, sold a rocket-firing Boba Fett action figure for $95,700 (£76,600).
Qing period gold wedding boxes emerge at Singapore auction
22 July 2019A pair of 20ct gold wedding boxes dating from the late Qing period is on offer (one shown here). Both are embossed with the 12 symbols of the Chinese zodiac with the lids decorated with the sign of the Dragon and the Rabbit identifying each marriage partner.
Hidden depths to the market for military diving watches
22 July 2019A cache of military diving watches sold in Hampshire and a £125,000 Daytona spotlight the thriving market for vintage mechanical ‘tool’ watches.
Strong demand for Boer War medal honouring bravery regardless of race
22 July 2019A medal, silver cigar box and ‘oil lamp’ lighter sold at Ramsay Cornish's latest sale in Edinburgh had come by descent from Major Jonathan Leslie Dean (1859-1926). He was a key participant in the defence of O’okiep (1902), the small town in the Northern Cape that was besieged by Boer Commandos from April 4-May 4, 1902, towards the end of the Second Boer War.
Al Thani dispersal at Christie's was unparalleled in recent memory
22 July 2019The marathon 12-hour 'Maharajas & Mughal Magnificence' auction of jewellery and works of art from the Al Thani family held in New York last month was a once-in-a-generation event.
Regions enjoy the fruits of solid English oak
22 July 2019A 17th century oak panel marking the rebuilding of one of the best-known dwellings on the Chester Rows sold at auction last week for £4600.
London Auctions enters liquidation with consignors among creditors
22 July 2019London Auctions Ltd is insolvent and has entered liquidation proceedings.
Chinese glass painting, Art Deco figure and historical archive – six auction highlights that caught bidders’ eyes in the last week
19 July 2019ATG’s selection of hammer highlights over the past week includes a bronze and ivory Art Deco figure by Ferdinand Preiss, a Chinese Export reverse painted mirror and an archive of documents from a historic Berkshire estate.
Long-lost Marlborough gem bid to £62,000
18 July 2019A sapphire intaglio ring that was identified as one of the long-lost Marlborough gems shortly before it was due to be auctioned was bid to £62,000 at Woolley & Wallis in Salisbury today.
London Auctions enters liquidation with vendors left unpaid
16 July 2019London Auctions Ltd is insolvent and has entered liquidation proceedings. The west London firm, based at 30-34 Chiswick High Road is understood to have debts of more than £137,000 with around £44,000 owed to unpaid consignors.
Auction record for English watch as George Daniels timepiece sells for £3m at Sotheby’s
16 July 2019Among the objects in demand at Sotheby’s this season was one of only 23 pocket watches made by George Daniels (1926-2011) – the 1982 Space Traveller I.
Pick of the week: A woman’s first-hand view of the Cape
15 July 2019Two previously unpublished watercolours painted by Lady Anne Barnard (1750-1825) during her momentous visit to the Cape of Good Hope emerged for sale at Stephan Welz & Co in South Africa earlier this month. They came for sale from the descendants of Lady Anne who had owned them since 1966.
Silver Tompion pocket watch discovered buried in Hexham ground
15 July 2019A silver pocket watch by ‘father of British clockmaking’ Thomas Tompion has been literally unearthed in Northumberland.
Five lots to watch at auction this week including a plague plaque, a Willy Wonka golden ticket and a lost Marlborough gem
15 July 2019With estimates from £800-12,000, here are five previews from upcoming sales this week.