Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
Dealer Bruce Knight’s personal collecting taste was a cut above
05 February 2024An 18th century Native American trade axe pipe linked to the great Shawnee chief and warrior Tecumseh (1768-1813) was the runaway performer when the collection of Ohio dealer and entrepreneur Bruce Knight was dispersed in the first days of the New Year.
Shaving mugs attract top prices from foam bidders
05 February 2024A staple at American barber shops of the 19th and early 20th centuries was the occupational shaving mug.
Cranach ‘copies from 19th century’ carry their own value
05 February 2024Among the most contested lots at Nadeau’s (23% buyer’s premium) sale on January 1 was a set of miniature watercolour and gouache portraits credited to a follower of the German court painter Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472-1553).
Bereny tobacco advert poster: a good little burner
05 February 2024An original version of one of the great Art Deco posters emerged at Sapphire Auction Gallery (20% buyer’s premium).
Ultimate example of nepotism from Napoleon
05 February 2024Biennais bronzes portrayed Napoleon and the many family members he appointed to poweful positions
Native American mask makes 140 times the top guide
05 February 2024A 19th century Native American wolf mask, once used in religious ceremonies on the Northwest coast, emerged from the obscurity of a £50-100 estimate to bring £14,000 at auction in Hertfordshire.
Firm known for cameras also created this work of art
05 February 2024The Victorian artist’s box, an essential accessory for any 19th century amateur, doesn’t get much better than this example sold for $5000 (£4000) at Briggs Auction Co (28% buyer’s premium) in Garnet Valley, Pennsylvania, on December 8.
Argentinian artist Demarco’s world is full of kinetic energy
05 February 2024The top lot at Leonard Auction’s (25% buyer’s premium) December 10 sale in Addison, Illinois, was a work by the Argentinian Op artist Hugo Rodolfo Demarco (1932-95).
American tazza was designed by a Danish silversmith
05 February 2024A rare silver and turquoise tazza designed by Erik Magnussen (1884-1961) for the Gorham Manufacturing Company sold for $24,000 (£19,000) at Schwenke Auctioneers (29/27% buyer’s premium) in Woodbury, Connecticut.
Mixed fortunes for rediscovered Rubens and van Dyck self portraits in New York auction
02 February 2024Two recent art market discoveries, both self-portraits by titans of 17th century British art, met contrasting fortunes in New York.
Maltese silver coffee pot shines at auction
01 February 2024An exceptional Maltese silver coffee pot took six-times estimate at auction.
Last hurrah for the Ann and Gordon Getty collection
31 January 2024Finding antiques with the wow factor was Ann Getty’s forte and she did it with great dedication, some good advice and an outstanding bank balance.
Auction buyers get claws into Wemyss cats
29 January 2024This smiling tabby cat formed part of an extensive collection of Scottish Wemyss Ware sold at Lyon & Turnbull.
Mark Knopfler's Gibson guitar and pair of torchère figures are among five lots to watch
29 January 2024With estimates from £200, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week.
Annual auction totals: Dreweatts takes top spot again in an increasingly selective market
29 January 2024Regional firms report that while big buyers remain active the middle level is challenging
Allan Ramsay the royal favourite
29 January 2024The precise and sensitive portraiture of Allan Ramsay (1713-84) earned him widespread acclaim, aided by his prodigious intellect and social flair.
Venini glass designs from two Italian architects build up transatlantic interest
29 January 2024Two exceptional pieces of Venini glass surfaced at auction in the final days of 2023 on different sides of the Atlantic.
White-gloves and a trilby hat for Dick Turpin sale
26 January 2024Sworders enjoyed a white-glove sale and a £406,000 total for the personal collection of Maurice Turpin (1928-2005).
From Walpole to Sunak, a prime ministerial autograph collection comes to market
26 January 2024A private collection comprising the signatures of every one of Britain’s Prime Ministers comes for sale at Chiswick Auctions this month.