Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
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.
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).
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).
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.
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.
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
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.
Rare Northwest coast shamanic mask prompts tribal gathering in Royston
25 January 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.
A Scottish Wemyss Ware vase from a prolific collector is among five lots to watch
22 January 2024With estimates from £300, here are five previews of items coming up this week.
Lampshade highlights the work of Quentin Bell, the last of Bloomsbury
22 January 2024A lampshade painted by Quentin Bell sold for a remarkable £4700 when Adam Partridge (20% buyer’s premium) dispersed the residual collection of Michael Evans in Macclesfield.
Keeping the dust jacket was definitely not a dumb move
22 January 2024An original dust jacket made all the difference when Weiss Auctions (20% buyer’s premium) offered a first edition copy of Agatha Christie’s Dumb Witness in Lynbrook, New York.
Signed Fab Four photos are big hits with bidders
22 January 2024A c.1964 publicity photograph signed by all four members of The Beatles sold for £13,000 at Bristol auction house Auctioneum (21% buyer’s premium).
US president mesmerised by Lillie Langtry
22 January 2024Though largely forgotten today, Lillie Langtry (1853-1929) was probably England’s first superstar, moving effortlessly from the stage to high society.