Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
Altered States – The regional market in the US
25 September 2017In a market subject to the vagaries of collecting fashion, success is hard-earned for America’s leading regional salerooms.
Pick of the Week: Jewels fit for a cultured gent
25 September 2017This late 19th century necklace offered by Peter Wilson's latest sale in Nantwich is a spectacular example of Grand Tour jewellery. Most Georgian or Victorian gentlemen keen to display an appreciation of classical art were satisfied to purchase just one or two hardstone intaglios as a souvenir.
Maori artefacts with 180-year history
25 September 2017A collection of Maori artefacts with an unbroken provenance dating back to their acquisition by early English missionaries to New Zealand will be offered at John Nicholson’s of Fernhurst on October 5.
Maori artefacts traced back to early English missionaries come to auction in Surrey
20 September 2017A collection of Maori artefacts with an unbroken provenance dating back to their acquisition by early English missionaries to New Zealand will be offered for sale at John Nicholson’s of Fernhurst on October 5.
Pick of the Week: Devil is in the detail for Tasmanian table
18 September 2017Shortly after the catalogue for Bellmans’ recent sale in Wisborough Green, Sussex had gone to press, a printed paper label was noticed to the underside of this burr-veneered occasional table. It read 'L Pearson, Cabinet Maker & Upholsterer, 3 Elizabeth Street, Hobart Town'.
Christie’s and China top NY Asia Week auctions
18 September 2017Christie’s seven sales dominated the New York Asian art series. With a couple of sales still to go across the weekend, the firm’s running total was close to $35m, more than twice the aggregate of its competitors.
Numismatic partnerships formed to broaden market
11 September 2017Two new international auction partnerships have formed in the coin market, both involving London firms.
McTear’s holds dedicated military watch auction
11 September 2017Glasgow saleroom McTear’s holds a dedicated military watch auction on September 19. Most entries are from a private collection and include watches from the so-called ‘Dirty Dozen’ – the 12 Swiss manufacturers commissioned to supply the British Ministry of Defence during the Second World War.
Doyle New York goes green to sell Colombian diamonds
11 September 2017Among the highlights of the sale at Doyle New York on October 18 are two emerald and diamond brooches set with stones that display the prized deep green colour concentration of Colombian emeralds.
Jewellery highlights of upcoming fairs
11 September 2017The first major fairs of the new season are only just around the corner. The LAPADA Art & Antiques Fair at Berkeley Square is always strong on antique jewellery, this year (September 15-20) attracting more than a dozen specialist dealers from both London and overseas.
Bidding leaps for Aus$70,000 kangeroo salts
11 September 2017A set of four Victorian kangaroos salts made by silversmiths Hunt & Roskell sold for Aus$70,000 (£42,000) as part of the Fairfax collection at Leonard Joel in Sydney on August 31-September 2.
Setting provides period drama
11 September 2017A 19th century topaz pendant with cushion-shaped diamond accents raced to £9000 at Mallams’ Silver & Jewellery sale in Oxford on August 23.
Brooch with Queen Victoria connections set to glitter in North Yorkshire auction
11 September 2017This Victorian turquoise and diamond brooch is inscribed verso 'Had Belonged to Dear Grandmamma V. From Mama VR, 14th April 1871'. To Beatrice. It carries an estimate of £3000-5000 at Tennants in Leyburn on November 18.
Pick of the Week: Marble sculpture of cupid sets house record at Fieldings
11 September 2017Fieldings of Stourbridge set a new house record earlier this month when Emanuele Caroni’s (1826-76) marble sculpture of cupid taming the lion sold at £91,000 (plus 24% premium).
How Grima set Jermyn Street swinging in the Sixties
11 September 2017Something shocking happened on Jermyn Street in 1966. Among the more conservative of London shopping districts – the place for a badger-hair shaving brush or a decent pair of sheepskin slippers – at a stroke it became cool. The charismatic Italian émigré Andrew Grima (1921-2007) had opened a jewellery emporium.
Sworders offers Bakelite bangles
11 September 2017Jewellery designers of the 1930s and '40s were attracted to Bakelite, a plastic resin developed in 1907 for industrial purposes, as it was both hard enough to cut and polish and available in a wide range of colours.
Pendant marks start of the French Revolution
11 September 2017In May 1789, as the political and financial situation in France grew ever bleaker, Louis XVI was forced to summon the three estates – the clergy, nobility and commoners – who had the power to levy taxes and implement reform.
Buccellati jewelley on offer with aristocratic provenanace
11 September 2017Jewels by Buccellati, all from European aristocratic collections, feature in the jewellery auction at Dorotheum in Vienna on October 19.
Skinner brings a touch of colour
11 September 2017The coloured stones market remains strong, so Skinner can expect strong international competition for an antique sapphire pendant brooch (below) in Boston on September 19.
Butterflies on a high in Birmingham auction
11 September 2017The sale at Fellows (23/15% buyer’s premium) in Birmingham on July 31 included this Arts & Crafts pendant designed by Charles Robert Ashbee (1862-1942).