Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell

Cavalry photo

French photographer Gustave Le Gray’s Napoleon III army album comes to auction

21 May 2022

Phillips will offer a recently discovered copy of Gustave Le Gray’s famous 'Souvenirs du Camp de Châlons' at auction in London next week.

Qianlong vase

Exceptional Chinese ‘nine dragon’ vase stars in our pick of six auction highlights

20 May 2022

ATG’s weekly selection of items that caught bidders’ eyes includes a Qianlong mark and period doucai 'nine dragon' vase that made 10-times estimate at Sotheby’s.

Jack Metcalfe

‘Practical man’ makes Chippendale marquetry discovery

16 May 2022

A specialist in 18th century marquetry believes he has identified the craftsmen responsible for inlaid decoration on some of the finest English furniture.

Table clock

A Knibb golden opportunity: table clock emerges in German auction

16 May 2022

This Charles II ebony and silvermounted table clock by the London golden-age clockmaker Joseph Knibb (1640-1711) emerged for sale in Germany.

Whytock and Reid table

Edinburgh dealership buys famous Scottish furniture brand

16 May 2022

Edinburgh firm Georgian Antiques has bought the brand of Whytock & Reid, one of the most famous names in Scottish cabinetmaking.

Noel Gallagher's 1960 Gibson ES-355

Noel Gallagher's guitar and a Louis XVI style commode are among five lots to watch

16 May 2022

With estimates from £150-500,000, here are five previews of items coming up this week.

Fijian whale ivory hook carving

Pick of the week: Buyer hooked by Fijian whale ivory rarity

16 May 2022

Sperm whale teeth, acquired from mammals that had beached on local reefs, had a deep significance to Fijian society.

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Nelson mourning ring by ‘special request’

16 May 2022

The Marine Sale at Bonhams (27.5/25/20/14.5% buyer’s premium) included a very rare gold and enamel ring marking the death of Admiral Lord Nelson in 1805.

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The next generation: ‘The book trade is so varied it is always possible to find a corner to make your own’

16 May 2022

Seldom does the stereotypical image of the rare book specialist fit the current generation of dealers and auctioneers. Members of the 21st century book trade come from all walks of life with their interests and areas of specialisation just as varied. ATG speaks to five members of the trade to discover their route into rare books.

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Going for a Song at £56,000

16 May 2022

It was during the Song dynasty that tea parties became the vogue and tea houses flourished.

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Time for a commercial break

16 May 2022

Try original advertising artwork if you want to capture the atmosphere of an era.

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Constantinidis ceramics on the rise

16 May 2022

Typically, the work of studio potter Joanna Constantinidis (1927-2000), for nearly 40 years a lecturer in ceramics at Chelmsford Technical College and School of Art, has tended to occupy the second tier of the burgeoning contemporary ceramics market.

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Previews: issue 2543

16 May 2022

A selection of 15 upcoming lots from auctions taking place around the UK and Ireland.

Doucai porcelain vase with Qianlong marks

Rediscovered Chinese vase stars in our pick of five auction highlights

13 May 2022

ATG’s weekly selection of items that caught bidders’ eyes includes a rediscovered doucai porcelain vase with Qianlong marks that made over seven-times estimate in Hampshire.

Soapstone seal

Winning the seal of approval: Emperor’s stamp from Wou Kiuan collection brings £13m

09 May 2022

A soapstone seal used by the emperor Qianlong to express his approval of paintings and calligraphy in the imperial collection sold at auction in Hong Kong for HK$131m (£13m) on April 29.

Navigational chart

Pick of the week: Taking note of current affairs

09 May 2022

Among the most extraordinary of all navigational charts are the lattice ‘stick maps’ used by Marshall Islanders.

Dunkirk scene by Ernest Procter

Dunkirk 1918 scene sets Ernest Procter record

09 May 2022

Setting a record price for the Newlyn artist Ernest Procter (1886-1935), a previously lost First World War scene generated strong competition at Lyon & Turnbull’s latest Modern Made auction.

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Second World War submarine’s Jolly Roger flag is among six lots to watch

09 May 2022

With estimates from £800-30,000, here are six previews of upcoming items.

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Previews: issue 2542

09 May 2022

A selection of 16 upcoming lots from auctions taking place around the UK and Ireland.

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Eighties toys that young at heart today would love

09 May 2022

To mark the new range of Star Wars toys that came with the release of Return of the Jedi in 1983, the Leicester firm Palitoy commissioned a series of hand-built and hand-painted store displays to send to some of its best retailers.