Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
Brunette not blonde Barbie in the pink at auction
02 October 2023With the blockbuster Margot Robbie-Ryan Gosling movie packing cinemas worldwide, this has been the summer of Barbie, and that also includes the toy-collecting world.
It’s a small world: Cary pocket globes emerge in two sales
02 October 2023Three-inch globes were mostly sold as pocket globes, typically as a terrestrial globe contained within a ray-skin case with the celestial gores for the heavens pasted inside.
Tiffany’s less familiar artistic skill
02 October 2023Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848-1933) is best known for his work as a glassmaker and jeweller catering to the Gilded Age elite.
Early Hockney print emerges in Georgia
02 October 2023An early printed work by David Hockney (b. 1937) comes for sale at Ahlers & Ogletree in Atlanta, Georgia, on October 14.
John Constable sketch of Willy Lott’s House makes £200,000 in Guernsey
30 September 2023A recently rediscovered oil sketch by John Constable (1776-1837) drew interest with eight telephone lines booked at Martel Maides (20% buyer’s premium) in St Peter Port, Guernsey on September 21.
Tiffany Arts and Crafts pendant stars in our pick of five auction highlights
29 September 2023ATG’s weekly selection of items that caught bidders’ eyes includes a Tiffany moonstone and sapphire pendant from c.1915 that more than tripled its estimate in Edinburgh.
Pipe dream reality: meerschaum magnificence
25 September 2023An elaborate Victorian meerschaum pipe stood out at a recent Surrey sale.
Pick of the week: Music made with a touch of glass
25 September 2023The phenomenon of rubbing a wet finger around the rim of a wine goblet to produce a note is as old as glassmaking.
A Viennese flower brooch is among five lots to watch
25 September 2023With estimates from £200, here are five previews of items coming up at auction next week.
Houdini ready to wow the crowds in Bolton
25 September 2023The sale of Vintage & Modern Magic at Potter & Potter (20% buyer’s premium) in Chicago on August 26 included this original theatre contract signed by Erik Weisz, the man better known as Harry Houdini (1874-1926).
Majolica amassed by collecting duo 'has it all'
25 September 2023Edward and Marilyn Flower’s substantial and impressive collection blossomed partly thanks to help from a London dealer
Eye-catching Italian posters on offer
25 September 2023Swann Auction Galleries’ (30% buyer’s premium) summer vintage poster sale in New York on August 3 received a significant boost from a single consignment.
Gainsborough sketch on offer in Pennsylvania
25 September 2023The Americana & International sale at Pook & Pook in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, on October 5-6 includes a collection of art from a Delaware estate.
Rare enamel advertising design on the move in Wiltshire
25 September 2023The sale of Enamel Signs, Automobilia and Advertising at Chippenham Auction Rooms (20% buyer’s premium) on July 29 included a rare pictorial enamel design depicting the Mauretania at full steam advertising Holzapfels Composition.
Patek Philippe Riccio watch provides a rich picking
25 September 2023Estimated at $2000-3000, this Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref 1491 sold for $37,500 (£31,250) at Roland Auctions (25% buyer’s premium) .
Gauguin's spoon ‘served as erotic symbol’
25 September 2023This wooden spoon worked with a recumbent fox is thought to have been carved by Paul Gauguin in Tahiti.
No, it’s not a Wally Bird...
25 September 2023Anthropomorphic bird jars are typically associated with the work of the Martin Brothers in Southall, London.
Scotsman figure punches well above estimate
25 September 2023An early 19th century pearlware figure was the surprise performer when 200 lots from the Flower collection were offered by Lion & Unicorn (25% buyer’s premium) in Florida, on August 27.
Antiquities lots turn heads in salerooms
25 September 2023This carved marble portrait head of a youth shown here is Roman and comes from a tightly dated period of the 2nd century.