Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
Taxidermy burglar sentenced after recovery of van full of stuffed animals
05 April 2017A member of a gang which stole taxidermy from a well-known dealer a year ago, has been sentenced.
Confused about a term? Take it on the Chinnery
05 April 2017At the end of an article penned for the Regional History Society titled Furniture Terminology in Post-Medieval Middle Class Inventories, the late Victor Chinnery wrote that any full glossary on the subject should include, not just furniture, but also pottery, glass, metalwork and architectural fittings.
Fauvist oil tops Leicestershire sale
05 April 2017A painting from the early career of French artist Auguste Herbin (1882-1960) appeared on the market for the first time in nearly a century at Gildings’ Market Harborough salerooms on March 28.
Droit de suite: Court says seller must pay levy
05 April 2017The way Droit de Suite is applied in France was affirmed by a French court ruling last month.
Pick of the Week: A double helping of Russian Raphael
05 April 2017Inspired by an exhibition marking the 400th anniversary of Raphael’s birth in 1883, Alexander III (1845-94) commissioned a porcelain dinner service for use in the Catherine Palace of Tsarskoe Selo, writes Roland Arkell.
Beadwork and embroideries
05 April 2017Through surviving examples of Charles II beadwork, it is possible to catch a glimpse of the splendid colours of Stuart England.
Two private collections of rushlights at Bonhams
05 April 2017Folksy 18th and 19th century vernacular lighting retains a strong following.
Elizabethan furniture shines in Met’s California dispersal
05 April 2017Two pieces of early oak furniture deaccessioned from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York far outstripped modest expectations when offered for sale in California last month. The two tersely catalogued lots – both bequeathed to the museum in 1964 – appeared at Clars in Oakland on March 18. They sold to New York buyers.
Finding out if small is beautiful
05 April 2017Exceptional items star as Bonhams’ oak sales face the challenge of reduced space and lots
Chiswick sees eastern promise
01 April 2017As evidenced by prices recently recorded on these pages for Meiji and earlier material, collectors and dealers have been ahead of the City analysts currently looking at the revival of the Japanese stock exchange.
French court rules artist's resale rights must be paid by the sellers
31 March 2017The French law that states vendors should pay Droit de Suite has been affirmed by a Versailles court.
‘Light at the end of the tunnel’ for Aristophil
25 March 2017The legal impasse surrounding the restitution of thousands of historical documents and manuscripts from the scandal-hit Aristophil investment scheme was finally broken last week.
10th century Gospels return to Germany at $3m
25 March 2017Following a deal between the German state and specialist manuscripts dealer Les Enluminures, this 10th century illuminated Gospels created at Liesborn Abbey will return to Westphalia.
New home for Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions
18 March 2017Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions is to hold the first sale in its new Pall Mall home in April.
Bonhams brings best under one roof
18 March 2017Bonhams will conduct the first of a new format flagship sale next month.
CSK to close: industry reaction
18 March 2017Reaction from ex-CSK specialists to the announcement that the saleroom will be closing.
Silver linings: previews from the upcoming season
18 March 2017From small-scale miniatures to intricate, elaborate pieces, we preview silver highlights from upcoming auctions and fairs both in London and the regions
Putting art and soul into textiles
18 March 2017Dealer on a mission to establish such works alongside more ‘serious’ collecting fields
Christie’s South Kensington: an ‘end of an era’ moment
18 March 2017As the market evolves, auction rooms will inevitably come and go. But few will leave their mark like Christie’s South Kensington.
What closure of CSK means for dealers, London and the regions
18 March 2017Much will depend on what the plan is for King Street and for the firm’s online-only sales (a growing but small fragment of the Christie’s business totalling £49.8m last year).