Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
Buyer chooses Choisy-le-Roi
05 August 2024Following the Franco-Prussian War, when Alsace-Lorraine was annexed by Germany, workers at the Sarreguemines factory rejected German nationality and brought important technical skills and artistry to Choisy-le-Roi.
Pressing concerns: Novelty swan-form iron attracts bidding battle in US auction
05 August 2024The swan-form sad iron is a favourite of iron collectors and has been much reproduced.
First bid $250… but hammer comes down at $320,000 for a Yongzheng porcelain incense box
05 August 2024The biannual offering of Chinese, Japanese, and Indian works of art at Tremont Auctions (22% buyer’s premium) in Sudbury, Massachusetts was dominated by the multi-estimate performance of a single lot.
Dress code of a dynasty
05 August 2024The colours and designs of Qing dynasty robes were designed to convey rank and entitlement.
Pick of the Week: Hong Kong fire helmet in demand
05 August 2024The building frenzy that followed the British arrival in Hong Kong in 1841 brought added fire risk. Any long spell of dry, windy weather could – and periodically did – prove disastrous.
Norwegian dragon style swoops in
05 August 2024Spectacular gold dressing table set was made in the Arts & Crafts form inspired by Norse motifs
Twelve hours selling a single owner collection… a day on the tiles
05 August 2024Huge Roger Hensman collection sale in Stourbridge featured up to 10,000 examples sold in 859 lots
Cactus vase pricked out in Denver
05 August 2024The latest sale of Fine & Decorative Arts at Morphy’s (20% buyer’s premium) in Denver, Pennsylvania featured many good examples of Amphora and Zsolnay.
Glaze treasured on sale days
05 August 2024The pale blue hue known as clair-de-lune is one of the most treasured Qing monochrome glazes, and was reserved exclusively for imperial porcelains.
Highland highlight: badge collection for sale
05 August 2024A private collection of militaria and weapons belonging to a proud Scotsman, Douglas Anderson, comes for sale at Anderson & Garland in Newcastle in the autumn.
Huntsmen vase rides to over 40 times estimate
05 August 2024This unusual famille rose ‘cong’ form vase is finely painted with scenes of huntsmen, two with camels and two on horses.
Roman style marble bust features among five lots to watch this week
29 July 2024With estimates from £2000, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week
US library comes to auction after college closure
25 July 2024The library of Birmingham-Southern College, featuring early works on the history of North America and classics of science and literature, will be sold at Grant Zahajko Auctions in Davenport, Washington over two days on July 31-August 1.
King of Pop Michael Jackson’s drawings to appear at auction after court ruling
24 July 2024King’s Auctions of Las Vegas has been appointed by the Superior Court of California to sell a collection of original artworks signed by Michael Jackson (1958-2009).
16th century travelling clock finds its way to auction
22 July 2024This rare 16th century German travelling clock in the form of a book sold for £27,500 at Hutchinson Scott in Skipton, North Yorkshire.
Pick of the Week: Recipe book cooks up saleroom storm
22 July 2024Ralph ‘Randolphus’ Ayres is recorded as being head cook at New College, Oxford at various times in the 18th century.
Remarkable British medieval jug flies to eight times estimate
22 July 2024An outstanding example of British medieval pottery sold as part of the Stanley F Goldfein collection of ceramics drew fervent bidding at a recent US auction.
Second World War prisoner of war Rolex watch features among five lots to watch
22 July 2024With estimates from £300, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week
