Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
Hatton Garden jewellery quarter under threat from rent hikes
25 August 2016The imminent arrival of Crossrail services in London are threatening the character of the Hatton Garden jewellery quarter.
Sworders to offer ‘toys’ from Hugh Marsham Townshend collection
24 August 2016When in the middle of the century Suffolk collector Hugh Marsham Townshend (1878-1967) was amassing a collection of gold-mounted porcelain scent bottles and other trinkets, most were thought to be the products of the Chelsea porcelain works or a shadowy enterprise known as the ‘Girl in a Swing’ factory.
Scrimshaw market shows signs of a return to buoyancy at sale of Memishian collection in US
18 August 2016Scrimshaw has been in the doldrums during the last few years with several dealers and auctioneers holding back on sales until there is more legislative clarity over the rules concerning its sale and importation.
Ex-Bonhams duo launch independent auction firm to champion furniture sales
18 August 2016Two well-known former London auction specialists are launching a new enterprise selling English and European antique furniture.
1933 and all that: $165,000 for Britain’s numismatic superstar
16 August 2016Dallas-based Heritage Auctions set a new record for any copper or bronze coin when a 1933 penny took $165,000 (£127,000). The buyer was a private collector.
Rich rewards for Kent’s cottage industry as Tunbridge ware draws the bidders
11 August 2016Estimated at £1200-1800, a rare Tunbridge ware spice box sold for £10,600 at Bleasdales in Warwick.
Early Hans Coper bowl bought for V&A after export ban
10 August 2016The V&A have acquired an early form by the artist-potter Hans Coper (1920-81). Made in 1955 in the studio Coper shared with Lucie Rie in Paddington, London, the large bowl was the subject of a temporary export ban in 2015 in the hope a UK buyer could be found.
Nicholas Hall leaves Christie's after 12 years and returns to dealing
04 August 2016After 12 years with Christie’s, Nicholas Hall, international head of Old Master and 19th century paintings, is leaving to return to private dealing.
China Guardian founder takes largest shareholding in Sothebys
04 August 2016The largest shareholder in Beijing’s China Guardian Auctions has also become the largest single shareholder in Sotheby’s. Cheng Dongshen, chairman and chief executive of Taikang Life Insurance, purchased $230m or 8m Sotheby’s shares across June and July and now has a 13.5% stake.
Thousands of ‘frozen’ manuscripts from bankrupt Aristophil fund to return to market
28 July 2016Historical documents and manuscripts from the scandal-hit Aristophil investment scheme could soon return to the market as the slow process of restitution promises to quicken in the coming weeks.
‘Le Boba’ sets auction record for Star Wars figure, selling for £21,000 at Vectis
25 July 2016A new record for a Star Wars production figure was established at Vectis' latest sale when a French issue of Boba Fett, the memorable bit-part character in ‘The Empire Strikes Back’, sold for £21,000.
The rat awakens – Netsuke estimated at £200-300 sparks bidding war and sells at £28,500
22 July 2016This tiny ivory netsuke of a rat was the major suprise of a recent auction in the Cotswolds.
Specialists leave Christie’s as regular poster auctions end at South Kensington saleroom
21 July 2016Christie’s South Kensington have ceased regular sales of vintage posters. The leading player in the popular collecting field say that they will now offer posters for sale in online auctions when the opportunity to sell an exceptional collection arises.
Perfect timing – John Arnold pocket watch fetches £460,000 record
21 July 2016Sotheby’s established an auction record for a watch by John Arnold (1736-99) when a large silver pocket chronometer of 1781 sold at £460,000.
Sales move out of Germany as controversial culture bill becomes law
18 July 2016German auctioneers are preparing to move sales abroad following the passing of a controversial new cultural heritage law.
Star Wars rarity – Boba Fett with firing rocket offered at Vectis’ auction
14 July 2016The Rocket Firing Boba Fett has assumed legendary status among Star Wars collectors. Modelled in grey-blue plastic in advance of mass production by the Kenner factory in Ohio, it would forever remain a prototype figure.
Jewellery firms withdraw from Biennale after changes to direction and layout of Paris fair
11 July 2016The 28th edition of the Paris ‘Biennale des Antiquaires’ will include a radical shake-up of its jewellery content.
Thor hammered down at a mighty £36,000
07 July 2016The original artwork for the cover of The Mighty Thor, published by Marvel Comics in 1968, sold for £36,000 at a recent auction at Charterhouse in Sherborne, Dorset.
Board changes and new appointments at Strauss & Co following death of Stephan Welz
05 July 2016South African auction house Strauss & Co have made a number of appointments to its board in the wake of the death of founding managing director, Stephan Welz at the end of last year.
CINOA ‘needs to be leader on ivory’
04 July 2016The rising tide of regulation against ivory, and the consequent threat to the trade in antiques, was a principal subject of debate at last month’s CINOA conference in Paris.