Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
Spotting rare red Chelsea squirrels in Exeter
18 March 2019Rare examples of early English porcelain are still capable of remarkable sums.
What lots caught bidders’ eyes in the last week? Six auction highlights including a Wedgwood vase, a 1968 The Doors tour poster and Italian marble sculptures
15 March 2019ATG’s selection of hammer highlights over the past week.
Star Wars action figure prototype comes to auction
14 March 2019A small piece of Star Wars action figure history comes for sale at Vectis Auctions in Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees next month.
Bouguereau’s 20ft painting – Masterly example of French Academic painting to be offered at Sotheby’s Impressionist and Modern evening sale
13 March 2019Sotheby’s is to offer what it deems “the most important work of William-Adolphe Bouguereau’s celebrated career” as part of the Impressionist & Modern art evening sale in New York on May 14.
One of London’s oldest charities to sell contemporary art collection to raise funds
12 March 2019Contemporary art from the collection of one of London’s oldest charities went on view last night ahead of Lyon & Turnbull’s inaugural Modern Made auction this month.
What next for Brexit? While we wait, can you spot the 12 Brexit-related images on this Weeping Willow Brexit plate
12 March 2019As we approach a crunch vote on Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal, a no-deal result is still a possibility – so too the prospect of an extension to the Article 50 process beyond the March 29 deadline.
Bonhams introduces 27.5% premium threshold to "reflect the cost of bringing objects to global auctions”
11 March 2019Auction house Bonhams has raised its buyer’s premium levels, adding a new threshold of 27.5% on the first £2500/$3000 of the hammer price.
Miniature John Constable drawings deliver a big result at Chiswick Auctions
11 March 2019Two previously unpublished ink sketches by John Constable (1776 -1837) excelled at Chiswick Auctions’ latest British & European Fine Art sale.
Pick of the week: Sumptuous marquetry table cabinet makes its mark at Fonsie Mealy auction
11 March 2019Although catalogued as 18th century, this marquetry table cabinet – sold for a multi-estimate sum in Ireland last week – is more probably late 16th or early 17th century.
Wright of Derby portrait of Captain Bayly bought by Virginia's Colonial Williamsburg collection at Sotheby's
11 March 2019Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia has acquired a Joseph Wright of Derby (1734-97) portrait of an Irish veteran of the French and Indian War. The foundation bought it at Sotheby’s Old Master day sale in London in December when it sold for £40,000 plus premium.
TEFAF chooses new global chair for ‘independent’ vetting committees
11 March 2019Ahead of the Maastricht fair on March 16-24, TEFAF has appointed a new global chairman of vetting.
Panel discoveries post six-figure prices in American sale
11 March 2019Two early panel paintings, one German, the other Cretan, emerged from a Florida collection to sell for six-figure prices at the Premier Auction at Brunk (20% buyer’s premium) in Asheville, North Carolina, on January 28. Both were new discoveries by rare artists.
First issue Beano makes £8700 at London auction
09 March 2019A fine copy of the very first issue of the Beano has sold at auction for £8700. Beano Comic No 1 from July 1938 debuted characters such as Big Eggo, Morgyn the Mighty, Contrary Mary and the long-running favourite Lord Snooty and his Pals.
What lots caught bidders’ eyes in the last week? Five auction highlights including a silver spoon from 1528 that drew spectacular bidding
08 March 2019ATG’s selection of hammer highlights over the past week include a Henry VIII apostle spoon making ten times estimate at an auction in Leicestershire, and a huge Minton majolica urn bringing similar levels of competition in Ireland.
Chinese goddess figure by celebrated Ming potter smashes estimate at West Sussex auction
06 March 2019A Dehua blanc de chine figure of Guanyin sold for a surprise £39,000 – some 130 times the top estimate - at Bellmans in Wisborough Green, West Sussex last month.
Five highlights from Fellows’ first Fine Jewellery auction
05 March 2019Jewellery and watch specialist Fellows is to introduce a new sale category this month focused upon the better quality lots it sells from its Birmingham saleroom.
Rijksmuseum director appointed new global vetting chief across all TEFAF's art and antiques fair
04 March 2019Ahead of the flagship Maastricht fair on March 16-24, TEFAF has appointed a new global chairman of vetting.
Masterpiece fair to trial Hong Kong move with Fine Art Asia fair
04 March 2019The Masterpiece fair brand will be trialled in Hong Kong later this year with a ‘pavilion’ within the Fine Art Asia fair.
How the art and antiques trade is preparing for Brexit
04 March 2019As we approach a crunch vote on Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal, a no-deal result is still a possibility – so too the prospect of an extension to the Article 50 process beyond the March 29 deadline. As the selection of comments and advice from across the trade suggests, the art and antiques sector, like businesses up and down the country, is preparing for every eventuality.
Draft bill seeks further reform for French auction system
04 March 2019The French auction system could be set for more reform with a draft bill recommending further change due to be launched later this month.