Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
Shield buyer parries rival bidders
29 August 2022Aboriginal shields come in two basic types: broad shields used for deflecting projectiles and the narrow, compact parrying shields used in close contact fighting.
Victory parade in figure form
29 August 2022The Crimean War inspired many Staffordshire flatback figures - including this rare model made to mark the end of the conflict in 1856.
Roman inspiration supersedes Rococo
29 August 2022When Domenico Venuti became director of the Naples porcelain factory in 1779, he broke radically with any lingering Rococo sentiments and embraced the new neoclassical style sweeping Europe.
Fine Welsh porcelain consigned by Joseph family
29 August 2022A recent Welsh Sale, conducted by Rogers Jones (24/15% buyer’s premium) in Cardiff included a consignment of Swansea and Nantgarw that came by descent from the preeminent Welsh porcelain collector Sir Leslie Joseph.
Leopard bites back at unlucky hunter
29 August 2022Hot on the heels of Christie’s offering a collection of more than 80 18th century Battersea and Bilston enamels formed by interwar connoisseur Nellie Ionides (part of the May 27 auction of items from the estate of Lord and Lady Swaythling), Tennants (20% buyer’s premium) featured a smaller selection of similar wares across two sales in the summer.
Previews: issue 2557
29 August 2022A selection of 14 upcoming lots from auctions taking place around the UK and Ireland.
Life is grand with a string of contents sales
22 August 2022A raft of contents sales from grand English estates is coming up this autumn.
Rare Jacobite goblet receives an £8000 toast in Edinburgh auction
22 August 2022The sale of Scottish Works of Art & Whisky at Lyon & Turnbull in Edinburgh on August 17 included this remarkable mid-18th century Jacobite goblet.
Pick of the week: Sketchbook strikes saleroom gold
22 August 2022A previously unknown sketchbook of watercolours and drawings relating to the California Gold Rush took £16,000 (plus 25% buyer’s premium) at Chiswick Auctions.
Lot attracts high level of interest thanks to tempting Titanic lunch menu
22 August 2022The highlight of the latest maritime sale at Adam Partridge in Liverpool was a collection of 40 menus for dinners held between 1899-1919 in honour of various British and foreign dignitaries.
Rare signed copy of JK Rowling’s crime novel is among five lots to watch
22 August 2022With estimates from £100-3500, here are five previews of items upcoming up at auction this week.
Egyptian bronze figure of Isis offered in Salisbury auction
22 August 2022The Woolley & Wallis sale in Salisbury on September 21 titled Arts of Africa, Oceania and he Americas includes a small section of antiquities.
Chinese Daoguang era ‘hundred boys’ vase takes £38,000 despite obvious condition issues and repairs
22 August 2022Famille rose vases decorated with ‘Hundred Boys’ scenes are among the most commercial of all Qing ceramics.
Sapphire-set owl makes five times estimate at Oxford sale
22 August 2022The owl had been a symbol of wealth and wisdom since the days of ancient Greece and inspired designers such as Lalique.
Previews: issue 2556
22 August 2022A selection of eight upcoming lots from auctions taking place around the UK.
The small world of Gamda toys
22 August 2022Special Auctions Services (25% buyer’s premium) in Newbury sold the collection of John Garside last month.
Go batty about a brooch
22 August 2022Although, thanks in part to Bram Stoker’s Dracula (first published in 1897), bats have acquired a reputation as ‘creatures of the night’ in many cultures they are viewed as symbols of luck or reincarnation.
Old World works of art come fresh to Massachusetts saleroom
22 August 2022English and Continental ‘country house’ offerings are rare in the US but not gone forever
Roman marble busts from the Finches
22 August 2022On November 9-10 Sworders will conduct an auction of objects from the collection of pioneering dealer Jan Ellen Finch (1952-2021) of Finch & Co.
Obituary: Jerome Eisenberg
22 August 2022Jerome Eisenberg (1930-2022), who died aged 92 on July 6, was a leading member of the antiquities trade.