Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell

Symbol of a Victorian secret society emerges at Norfolk auction
05 June 2023Oscar Wilde and Lord Alfred Douglas were probably members. So too Charles Robert Ashbee.

Sèvres vase sells for nearly £90,000 in Oz
05 June 2023Made in 1762 at the cusp of the vogue for rococo and neo-classicism, this 15in (44cm) high Sèvres vase combines elements of both styles.

Splendid Hoffman Palais Stoclet service on offer at auction
05 June 2023Woolley & Wallis is selling elements of a silver and malachite table service designed by Josef Hoffman for the Palais Stoclet in Brussels.

George I bookcase is among six lots to watch
05 June 2023With estimates from £200, here are six previews of upcoming items.

Lowry depicts street life in pastels
05 June 2023The 1947 Street Scene with Figures by LS Lowry (1887-1976) is the earliest work so far to appear on the market from a group of vibrant figurative pastels.

Georgian necklace evokes family memories
05 June 2023A necklace composed of nine ‘Stuart crystal’ memorial slides comes for sale at Sworders’ auction of Fine Jewellery and Watches on June 27.

Floral swags and pear-shaped drops on offer
05 June 2023Featuring in the June 22 Jewellery, Watches Silver auction at Dawsons in Maidenhead is this late Victorian diamond garland necklace.

Sealed and delivered to auction: the Matrix collection
05 June 2023Collector and author bought pieces for their historical interest as well as beauty

Representative of heavenly virtue
05 June 2023This 15th century ring, set with a rhomb-shaped table-cut sapphire, is engraved with lilies and other flowers issuing from a crescent bowl.

Fruitwood box finds its sense of plaice but spoon bids stay selective
05 June 2023Treen boxes and silver caddy spoons were sold as part of the Fine Silver sale at Anderson & Garland

Pocket watches that pack a punch
05 June 2023Portable timekeepers full of collectable appeal need not be just those worn on the wrist

The remarkable Mrs Newman
05 June 2023The professional goldsmith and jewellery designer was not the first woman in such a role but received significant prominence in the Victorian era under her own name

Dealer recognises Victorian value in a stone that could be broken up
05 June 2023It’s not unusual for an antique jewel containing a particularly high-quality stone to be broken up after its purchase – the intrinsic value greater than the value of the whole.

Rolex taken from £200 original purchase to £45,500 at auction
05 June 2023This Rolex Cosmograph Dayton is proof that some branded wristwatches have become an exceptional investment

Well done, driver Doug - here's a 1970 Heuer Autavia Chronograph
05 June 2023This 1970 Heuer Autavia Chronograph was awarded to rally driver Doug Harris for finishing the 16,000-mile London to Mexico World Cup Rally in 1970.

Not quite in Stuttgart but Germany’s leading book event returns
05 June 2023The Stuttgart Rare Book Fair, Germany’s leading fair for the rare book and prints trade, is returning after the pandemic for an anniversary event from June 16-18.

Objects that underline Ann Sutton's keen eye for new talent
05 June 2023A group of design objects consigned by British textile artist and designer Ann Sutton (b.1935) was offered as part of the Lyon & Turnbull Modern Made sale.

Aquamarine appeal of less expensive post crash pieces
05 June 2023In the years after the Wall Street Crash in 1929, some of the less expensive gemstones became popular in jewellery manufacture.

'Beautiful example' of Horace Minns work
05 June 2023The Fine Jewellery auction at Fellows in Birmingham on June 15 includes this Arts & Crafts silver blue gem and bluster pearl foliate pendant.