Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell

Auction bidding battle for rare Kentian console ends at six-figure sum
06 February 2023An important George II console table emerged for sale at The Auction Room London on January 31.

Pick of the week: Railroad spike hits a cool $1.8m response at auction
06 February 2023The completion of the US transcontinental railroad in 1869 was the marvel of its age.

A scrimshaw flask with an intriguing inscription is among five lots to watch
06 February 2023With estimates from £400, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week.

‘Medici’ brings bronze awards for museums at auction
06 February 2023Two important Mannerist bronzes were bought by museums when a New York private collection was sold in Manhattan last month.

Medal marks a Shanghai special day
06 February 2023The Shanghai Jubilee Medal was instituted in 1893 to mark the 50th anniversary of the first British consul created after the Treaty of Nanking in 1843.

‘Akin to living in a private museum’
06 February 2023Wife describes how collector husband Chris Hancock’s latest artworks had to fight for space in a family home

Chandelier shone in Pugin’s Gem
06 February 2023This brass and iron ecclesiastic chandelier or corona lucis is by Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin (1812-52), the most famous name in the Gothic Revival.

Previews: issue 2579
06 February 2023A selection of 13 upcoming lots available at UK and Irish auctions.

Scandinavian calendar stick provides seasons to be cheerful
06 February 2023Among the best performing lots at the Country House sale at Tennants (22% buyer’s premium) in Leyburn was a fruitwood calendar stick or primstav.

Top-selling porcelain dishes star in our pick of six auction highlights sold this week
03 February 2023ATG’s weekly selection of items that caught bidders’ eyes includes a pair of blue and white porcelain dishes that made over 130-times estimate in Dorset.

Maltese coffee pot at Salisbury auction shows appeal of island life
30 January 2023Italianate coffee pots and covered sugar basins are the most recognisable domestic forms in Maltese silver. And they are much coveted.

Dedicated Indian Raj silver auctions launched
30 January 2023Chiswick Auctions will conduct what it believes is the first ever auction devoted to Indian and Burmese silver of the Raj period on February 14.

A Lalique Escargot vase is among five lots to watch
30 January 2023With estimates from £500, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week.

Collectors discover the value of Vuitton Explorer trunks
30 January 2023Late 19th century Louis Vuitton Explorer trunks are a rare and desirable subset of vintage luggage.

Spoon dated 1796 served Lord Nelson
30 January 2023This otherwise mundane late 18th century fiddle pattern silver dessert spoon is from Lord Nelson’s first personal service.

‘One of the best Wedgwood collections in private hands’
30 January 2023Freeman’s in Philaldephia is selling the far-reaching Ellis and Suzanne Rubin collection of Wedgwood across a number of sales.

'Forget the guide' says Hanson as bronze figure brings bidding frenzy
30 January 2023Strong provenance helps seated guardian figure estimated at £100-150 to stand out at Derbyshire auction

Nineteenth century sculpture: evil genius and equestrian elegance
30 January 2023Focus on two contrasting sculptures from the same era by Feuchere and Boehm sold in recent auctions

Rare Nixey enamel sign scrubs up well despite condition
30 January 2023Although now long forgotten, the London family firm of Nixey’s was a household name in the second half of the 19th century