Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
Porcelain specialist retires after more than 50 years of trade
15 November 2018Well-known English porcelain specialist Simon Spero is retiring after a professional career lasting 54 years.
Chinese ‘Mona Lisa’ owned by Body Shop founder Anita Roddick sells for £1.7m at auction – watch video
13 November 2018Woolley & Wallis in Salisbury sold an important oil by Chinese contemporary artist Yang Fei Yun (b.1954) today for £1.7m (plus 25/12% buyer’s premium). It came for sale from the charity established by Body Shop founder Dame Anita Roddick (1942-2007).
Provenance and market freshness key to success for London Chinese works of art sales
13 November 2018Proof once more of the allure of market-fresh goods, the collection of Roger Soame Jenyns (1904-76) excelled at Christie’s Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art sale on November 6.
Pick of the Week: X-ray vision for Soame Jenyns collection at Christie's
12 November 2018Proof once more of the allure of market-fresh goods, the collection of Roger Soame Jenyns (1904-76) excelled at Christie’s Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art sale.
Star Wars memorabilia: John Mollo archive leads selection of auctions this season
12 November 2018With the Star Wars saga now more than 40 years old – and still going strong – the memorabilia market buzzes as never before. With so many of the original fans of the first movies now at prime income-earning age, prices for figures, posters and props continue to rise.
Dix Noonan Webb offers de Temple ring
12 November 2018From c.1969-75, Charles de Temple (b.1929) – the son of the American film actor Tom Mix – created his series of ‘nervous jewels’, employing prickly cultural designs in two-coloured gold wire. This 18ct gold and beryl dress ring is a good example.
Pearl of considerable merit at Roseberys
12 November 2018The exact history of this 200-year-old saltwater pearl is unknown but it is undoubtedly a gem of considerable merit.
Taste of Japan from Rago
12 November 2018Tiffany exhibited only gold jewellery at the 1878 Paris exposition, including a collection of ‘Japanesque’ pieces.
Leslie Hindman brooch to Georges Braque design
12 November 2018This 18ct two-colour gold and enamel Hebe brooch to a design by Georges Braque, c.1962, carries an estimate of $2500-3500 at Leslie Hindman’s Important Jewelry sale in Chicago on December 3.
Sensational royal jewels at Sotheby’s
12 November 2018In the end, it was diamonds, not cake, that triggered the tragic downfall of Marie-Antoinette (1755-93) and her family. Even though the doomed queen was innocent of conspiracy, it was the affair of a diamond necklace that lit the powder-keg of revolution.
Submariner ticks in at Fellows
12 November 2018Among the many versions of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner, the reference 5508 with its James Bond association is perhaps the best known.
Timely Cartier lot at Sworders
12 November 2018The Fine Jewellery and Watches auction at Sworders of Stansted Mountfitchet on November 20 will include this Cartier Art Deco rose-cut diamond, black and white enamel and seed pearl-set pendant watch, c.1915.
Doyle offers California style in New York
12 November 2018The sale titled California Jewelry held by Doyle in New York on November 19 includes some fine period pieces sourced by the Manhattan firm via its West Coast office.
Van Cleef & Arpels in tune at Skinner
12 November 2018This novel 14ct gold, cabochon emerald, diamond, and ruby brooch by Van Cleef & Arpels carries an estimate of $5000-7000 at Skinner of Boston’s sale of Important Jewelry on December 4.
Rare ‘tropical’ Omega Speedy keeps market time with Rolex
12 November 2018There was a time when vintage Omega represented a cost-effective alternative to vintage Rolex. Today, the rule does not always apply.
Creative Devlin at Dreweatts
12 November 2018This amethyst and cultured pearl ring and brooch is by Stuart Devlin (1931-2018) – the Australian-born designer and craftsman the Duke of Edinburgh described as “probably the most original and creative goldsmith and silversmith of his time, and one of the greats of all time”.
More gems from the turn of the century
12 November 2018Dr Anne Shannon would no doubt have admired these three pieces of turn of the century jewellery sold at UK regional salerooms in recent weeks.
A £1900 diamond in the rough
12 November 2018An unusual entry to Hansons’ September auction in Teddington, south-west London, was a ‘diamond’ in the rough – an uncut 5ct crystal still in its original carrier stone.
Medieval brooch at TimeLine
12 November 2018This well-preserved medieval annular brooch set with cabochon rubies and sapphires is a rare survivor from the 14th century.
Diamonds highlight a luxury comeback
12 November 2018By the 1950s, as the global economic landscape improved, luxury was making a comeback and so too was the prolific use of diamonds in the jewellery of France’s premier ateliers.