Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
Pick of the week: EH Shepard's Wind in the Willows drawing sells with a swagger at auction
19 December 2022Since its first publication in 1908, Kenneth Grahame’s 'The Wind in the Willows' has appeared in various editions and reprints illustrated by nearly 50 artists.
Smart’s famous Frant folk art found twice
19 December 2022At Frant there dwells a Man of fame. By trade a Tailor, Smart by name.
Panini Mexico 70 stickers are the pick of the bunch
19 December 2022The Panini company, founded by two brothers in Modena in 1961, began life producing football cards of Serie A teams.
Sixteen lots from renowned Transitional porcelain collection reunited after Hong Kong sale
19 December 2022Sir Michael Butler (1927-2013) was part of that post-war generation of ‘gentlemen in the professions’ who chose collecting as their primary leisure activity.
Boney and Pitt slice up globe for dessert
19 December 2022'Plumb-pudding in danger or State Epicures taking un Petit Souper' is the most famous of all James Gillray’s satirical caricatures and perhaps the most well-known of all Georgian political cartoons.
Previews: issue 2573
19 December 2022A selection of seven upcoming lots from auctions taking place around the UK.
Thai 10 Baht now worth £12,000
19 December 2022This Thailand 10 Baht note appears to be a printer’s design that was unissued.
Top-selling Chinese lacquer dish stars in our pick of five auction highlights
16 December 2022ATG’s weekly selection of items that caught bidders’ eyes includes a rare 14th century carved lacquer dish that made over 50-times estimate in Gloucestershire.
Japanese vase's icy blast gets a warm welcome at Bath auction
12 December 2022The Makuzu Kozan workshop was established by Miyagawa Kozan (1842- 1916) in Yokohama, one of the main portals of trade with the West, in 1871.
Dramatic contest for emperor’s head at Sotheby's auction
12 December 2022A bust of Roman emperor Antoninus Pius sold for more than ten-times its low estimate at a Sotheby's sale
Hotung ‘jewel in the crown’ Degas proves precious at auction
12 December 2022The second tranche of the collection of Hong Kong property investor Sir Joseph Hotung (1930-2021) generated some strong competition at Sotheby’s in London with a number of high-value pictures, as well some exceptional pieces of furniture, ceramics and decorative art, on offer last week.
A Jacobean double portrait and a 1950s Bakelite telephone are among six lots to watch
12 December 2022With estimates from £500, here are six previews of items coming up at auction this week.
George Richardson: a man with high standards
12 December 2022The sale at Minster Auctions (20% buyer’s premium) in Leominster on November 24 included a copy of an important work on neoclassical interiors.
Ugly, venomous but proves so precious
12 December 2022Found by head of department Catriona Smith in a box of mixed jewellery, this rare 16th or 17th century gold ‘toadstone’ ring came for sale at Sworders (25% buyer’s premium).
Brilliant Brunel – and a scandalous corset
12 December 2022Commissioned by the 'Illustrated London Times' to document the construction of the mighty Great Eastern, the young photographer Robert Howlett (1831-58) took some of the most famous images of ship’s designer Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806-59).
Butterflies send collectors all of a flutter
12 December 2022A very fine Victorian butterfly collection formed between c.1880-1920 was offered by Minster Auctions (20% buyer’s premium) in Leominster on November 24.
Folk art pictures star in our latest pick of six auction highlights
09 December 2022ATG’s weekly selection of items that caught bidders’ eyes includes a pair of portraits by a self-styled ‘Professor of Peculiar Art’ made from leftover scraps from his tailor’s shop.
Martin Brothers' grotesque grinner is a winner at auction
05 December 2022An old family collection of Martin Brothers stonewares, assembled with purchases from the Southall potters in the late 19th and early 20th century, was offered in Cambridgeshire.
Pick of the week: Cadbury’s advertising signs takes a tasty five figures
05 December 2022It was, said the catalogue, “a once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire a top end sign in such remarkable condition”.
A Catherine the Great seal found in a biscuit tin is among five lots to watch
05 December 2022With estimates from £800-30,000, here are five previews of items coming at auction this week.