Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell

Prayer nut

Vendor’s prayers answered by a £480,000 nut

11 July 2022

The major summer sales of works of art included a boxwood prayer nut and Rothschild provenanced vases.

Adam and Eve sculpture

Pick of the week: A rediscovered carving emerges at Sotheby's sale

11 July 2022

Despite appearing in a 1930s photograph held in the MAK Museum, Vienna, this wood carving of Adam and Eve seems to have hitherto eluded scholars of the German woodcarver Leonhard Kern (1588-1662).

Castellani brooch

Castellani brooch lights up first Frome jewellery auction

11 July 2022

Topping the bill at Dore & Rees in Frome, Somerset on July 6 was this 2in (5cm) archaeological revival brooch by Castellani.

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A floral still-life and an oak sideboard are among seven lots to watch

11 July 2022

With estimates from £200-20,000, here are seven previews of items coming up at auction this week.

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Previews: issue 2551

11 July 2022

A selection of eight upcoming lots from auctions taking place around the UK.

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Colman buyers keen as mustard

11 July 2022

Ninety lots from family’s Norfolk home gave a taster of the traditional items they collected

Antique Prayer Nut

Rare 16th century ‘prayer nut’ stars in our pick of seven auction highlights sold this week

08 July 2022

ATG’s weekly selection of items that caught bidders’ eyes includes a miniature boxwood carving with biblical scenes known as a ‘prayer nut’ that made over six-times estimate at Sotheby’s.

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A Symbolist triptych and a 12th century charter are among five lots to watch

04 July 2022

With estimates from £400-25,000, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week.

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Jewellery: Royal connections bring added interest

04 July 2022

Platinum jubilee excitement combined with an emotive back story and a royal connection to create the perfect conditions to sell an Elizabeth II brooch

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Victorian pair took a passage from India

04 July 2022

A Victorian sapphire, diamond and pearl brooch-pendant was one of two pieces with Indian roots offered for sale at Duke’s (25% buyer’s premium).

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Silversmith Gerald Benney's collection on offer at Dreweatts

04 July 2022

Dreweatts offers a private collection of work by Gerald Benney, perhaps the key figure in the revival of British silversmithing in post-war Britain.

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Previews: issue 2550

04 July 2022

A selection of 14 upcoming lots from auctions taking place around the UK.

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Art Deco necklace bearing the Boivin mark makes over 10-times estimate

04 July 2022

This Art Deco turquoise, rock crystal and black enamelled silver necklace carries the maker’s mark of the celebrated French atelier René Boivin.

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Diamond pendant was gift from a rear admiral

04 July 2022

The Summer Sale at Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood in Exeter on July 13-15 includes this mid-Victorian colour change sapphire and rose-cut diamond pendant.

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Lock and key to Edward IV mourning brooch

04 July 2022

During renovations of St George’s Chapel, Windsor, in 1789, the tomb of the War of the Roses monarch Edward IV (1442-83) was rediscovered and his coffin accidentally opened while being moved.

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Victorian diamond necklace sets house record at Catherine Southon

04 July 2022

Catherine Southon’s (24% buyer’s premium) 10th anniversary auction included a new house record of £47,000 for an early Victorian diamond rivière.

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Relic of George III at Fellows

04 July 2022

The Fine Jewellery auction at Fellows on August 4 includes a gold George III mourning ring.

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Victorian diamond and pearl brooch emerges at Tennants

04 July 2022

Tennants’ Fine Jewellery, Watches and Silver sale in Leyburn, North Yorkshire, on July 16 numbers 120 lots.

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Garrard jewellery that comes with a twist

04 July 2022

This late Victorian Garrard & Co pearl and diamond tiara was described by Great Western Auctions in Glasgow as ‘the ultimate in metamorphic jewels’.

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Cartier’s clock mystery solved

04 July 2022

On June 23 Bonhams Hong Kong sold a version of Cartier’s first-ever mystery clock: the Model A.