Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
It’s a wrap at $120,000 as Qing knotted cloth vase shines in LA
10 June 2024A Qing vase later converted to a lamp sailed beyond expectations at an Andrew Jones Collections & Estates sale.
Cheuret heron theme console table fits the bill
10 June 2024During his lifetime relatively little was written about the work of Albert Cheuret (1884-1966).
Christie’s reassures clients over personal data after cyber attack
10 June 2024Christie’s says has it has seen no “evidence to suggest that personal information has been published or misused” following the cyber-attack that brought down its website.
Harper Lee classic comes with a Christmas card from the author
10 June 2024Not only is this 1960 first edition of 'To Kill a Mockingbird' inscribed by Harper Lee to her friend Harold Caufield, but it was sold with a Christmas card from the author penned with a lengthy message.
Meissen designer Kaendler in his element
10 June 2024Among the most recognisable output of the Meissen factory are the ‘Elements’ ewers, the set of four emblematic of Earth, Air, Water and Fire that were designed by Johann Joachim Kaendler in 1741.
Auction audience avid as Chinese export oil comes to the rostrum
10 June 2024A Chinese export oil showing a Qing emperor at court led a single-owner dispersal at Tremont Auctions (27% buyer’s premium) in Sudbury, Massachusetts, on May 5.
Pick of the week: Chess set bidders make their moves
10 June 2024It was on March 1, 1849 that Nathaniel Cook, the editor of the Illustrated London News, registered the design that would provide the ancient and cosmopolitan game of chess with its first standardised set.
Dealer Tomasso adds to his personal collection with an auction jewellery purchase
10 June 2024A gold and cameo ring offered with an estimate of just £200-300 at Derbyshire auction house Irita Marriott (plus 28.8% buyer’s premium inc VAT) and catalogued as 19th century caught the eye of a number of jewellery dealers and bidders from as far as Paris and the US.
Make a racket about a super collection of tennis posters
10 June 2024Extensive collection on tennis theme inlcudes early Wimbledon designs and Broders view of Monte Carlo
Bidders spot a Limoges production
10 June 2024A lot catalogued simply as a ’French gilt bronze figure of Madonna and Child’ proved the highlight of the Furniture, Art & Asian auction at Clars (28% buyer’s premium) in Oakland, California, on May 17.
De Pinna cup to finally appear for sale after scientific testing
05 June 2024At the third time of asking, an enigmatic Elizabethan style silver and porcelain goblet will finally be offered at auction this month.
Legendary speedster Donald Campbell’s Jaguar races into Essex auction
05 June 2024Donald Campbell’s Jaguar XK150 comes for sale at Sworders on June 18.
Italian micromosaic table is among five lots to watch this week
03 June 2024With estimates from £250, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week
Horticultural author based ‘at the flower pot’
03 June 2024Stephen Switzer (1682-1745), gardener, author, landscape designer and seedsman, was apprenticed in 1699 to George London, the senior partner of Brompton Park Nurseries.
Amphora owl has a hoot at $13,000
03 June 2024This large porcelain lamp modelled as an owl perched on the capital of a corinthian column dates from the golden era of the Riessner, Stellmacher & Kessel factory – better known as Amphora.
States and dates drive Old Master print market
03 June 2024Impressions of all three of Albrecht Dürer’s (1471-1528) famous Meisterstiche (master engravings) were sold by Grogan & Co (25% buyer's premium) on May 4.
Franklin found in Italy bears striking similarity to well-known portrait
03 June 2024Recently found in Italy, a previously unrecorded portrait of Benjamin Franklin sold at Freeman’s Hindman (27/21/15% buyer's premium) in Philadelphia for $30,000 (£24,000).
A story of grape expectations in 17th century England
03 June 2024Seventeenth century guide to growing vines in England was published just before the Great Fire of London
French magic lantern and camera lens impress in Texas
03 June 2024The French toymaker Georges Carette (1861-1954) is thought to have learned how to make magic lanterns from the Paris specialist maker August Lapierre.