Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
An expensive kittens’ wedding at $100,000
18 February 2016Two of the best-known anthropomorphic creations of the celebrated Victorian taxidermist Walter Potter (1835-1918) resurfaced at Treadway Toomey in Oak Park, near Chicago, Illinois, on February 6.
Function and fashion mean few positives for furniture index
11 February 2016Prices for standard English antique furniture fell for the eighth successive year, according to latest figures from the Antique Collectors’ Club’s (ACC) Annual Furniture Index (AFI).
TEFAF takes bite of the Big Apple
09 February 2016The European Fine Art Fair (TEFAF), umbrella organiser of the world’s foremost art and antiques fair in Maastricht, are launching two boutique events in the Park Avenue Armory, New York.
Maiolica charger takes £210,000 at Sotheby’s
28 January 2016Sotheby’s recent sale of royal and aristocratic heirlooms, titled Of Royal and Noble Descent, included this maiolica istoriato charger.
Monkey business – Swiss museum buys automaton at Bristol auction
19 January 2016A museum in Switzerland has acquired this extraordinary monkey band automaton at an online-only auction conducted by East Bristol Auctions, in Hanham, Bristol.
2015 totals: the auctioneers’ view
13 January 2016
Phillips set new high for Martin Brothers
31 December 2015Phillips set a new high for Martinware with the sale of this 14in (36cm) high bird jar modelled as Benjamin Disraeli for a double-estimate $190,000 (£126,670).
Commission suggest legal definition for ‘antique’ firearms
23 December 2015The Law Commission, the independent body which reviews laws in England and Wales, have recommended to the government that the term ‘antique firearm’ be defined in statute for the first time.
Qianlong vase brings house record in Derbyshire
22 December 2015Hansons of Etwall in Derbyshire posted a new house record in the closing days of 2015 with the sale of a 13in (32cm) high Qianlong (1736-95) mark and period famille rose vase for £300,000.
Scott collection fires the market for English clocks
18 December 2015One of the most ambitious dealer selling exhibitions of recent memory – the Tom Scott collection of clocks at Carter Marsh – has concluded with market-defining sales for the Winchester dealership.
A third Union flag flown at Trafalgar?
17 December 2015A Union flag, by repute flown by one of Nelson’s warships at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, carries an estimate of £30,000-50,000 at sporting gun specialists Holt’s on March 17.
Liberty and Liberalism combine for Archibald Knox record
16 December 2015This gold and peacock blue enamel necklace designed by Archibald Knox sold for £31,000 at Mallams in Oxford.
Narwhal tusk returned by Border Force
08 December 2015An antique narwhal tusk that faced destruction following a dispute over paperwork has been returned to its owner after a judge ruled its confiscation by customs had been “unreasonable”.
Rangoon ‘exhibition’ bowl makes £11,500 in Essex
03 December 2015A growing market for silver from the sub-continent culminated in a bid of £11,500 for this 9in (23cm) early 20th century Burmese bowl by Maung Yin Maung of Rangoon.
Ivory research project launched
03 December 2015Senior figures from both UK dealing associations gave an impassioned defence of the antiques trade as a project seeking to gauge the impact of a ban on the sale of ivory works of art was launched in Westminster last week.
SOFAA issue new T&Cs for online selling
02 December 2015In response to the new Consumer Rights Act, the Society of Fine Art Auctioneers have produced two different versions of their model terms and conditions – one for bricks and mortar ‘onsite’ auctions and another for online-only sales.
Majolica masterpieces buck the trend
30 November 2015Two versions of a celebrated German majolica tureen appeared for sale in a matter of weeks – both bringing sterling prices in an otherwise soft market for 19th century ceramics.
IACF acquire Sandown fair and switch day to Monday
20 November 2015International Antiques & Collectors Fairs (IACF) have added the monthly antiques and vintage fairs held at Sandown Park Racecourse to their roster of events.
Research project begins into effect of total ivory ban in the UK
20 November 2015Stakeholders in the art market are being asked to participate in a project seeking to gauge the effect of a total ban on the sale of ivory works of art in the UK.
Qing bamboo brushpot bought for £700 makes £58,000 in Dorchester auction
19 November 2015The primary draw to the regions – rather than London – during last week’s glut of Asian works of art sales was the auction titled ‘In Pursuit of the Scholar’s Spirit’ conducted by Duke’s of Dorchester.