Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
Heraldic beasts stir competition at Bonhams
10 July 2026Among the most eagerly contested lots at Bonhams’ latest sale of Fine Decorative Arts held in Bond Street was this set of four English heraldic beasts c.1600.
Event that challenges the traditional fairs model travels to Texas for first US edition
10 July 2026Event organiser Mariette & Co is launching the first international iteration of its Trois Crayons Drawings Hub in the United States this autumn.
Mystery Beatrix Potter teapot merchandise may have been made in Germany
10 July 2026Beatrix Potter was a pioneer of character merchandising. Two years after the publication of the first of her ‘little books’ she designed, fabricated and patented her own Peter Rabbit stuffed toy in 1903 – making him the first ever licensed character.*
Linnaeus letter to Ludwig sets a record in Sweden
10 July 2026A letter by Carl Linnaeus (1707-78), father of modern botany and taxonomy, has set an auction record in his native Sweden.
Yorkshire saleroom puts special focus on Mouseman and Critters
10 July 2026Dedicated anniversary sale devoted to Robert Thompson centres on three private collections
Car worker made a bumper metal detecting find with a £17,000 gold ring
10 July 2026An Elizabethan or early Stuart diamond cluster gold ring found in Wormington, Gloucestershire, in November 2024 was among 14 metal detected jewels offered at Noonans (24% buyer’s premium) in Mayfair.
Victorian clock on offer adorned a Sri Lankan lighthouse
10 July 2026Clockmaker Brockbank & Atkins of St John’s Square, Clerkenwell, was known as a supplier of mahogany and silvered brass eight-day wall clocks for lighthouses.
Miniature work but a massive result at Treasure House Fair
03 July 2026Just a few hours after the Treasure House Fair opened to the public, London jeweller Wartski announced the sale of a major highlight from its stand.
The Waterloo Elm survives in furniture form
03 July 2026A collector’s cabinet sold by Woolley & Wallis in Salisbury on June 30-July 1 was from a small group of furnishings fashioned from the Waterloo Elm.
'Textbook' chest of drawers makes for a worthwhile journey from Malta
03 July 2026Maltese furniture was largely overlooked in the 1960s and 70s.
‘Holy Grail’ Britains toy soldiers from 1893 achieve terrific price
03 July 2026Two of the most desirable of all W Britains toy soldier sets were offered in Morphy’s (23% buyer’s premium) Toys & General Collectibles auction on June 2-3.
Morris designs inspired by museum visits are among highlights in bumper Gloucestershire sale
03 July 2026In 1862, just a year after the founding of the Morris, Marshall & Faulkner Company at Red Lion Square, a circular was sent to prospective clients to announce the ‘revival of the art of painting on china tiles’.
William De Morgan ships come sailing in
03 July 2026A pair of William De Morgan ruby lustre four tile panels depicting galleons in full sail with fish swimming in sea sold for a top estimate £6000 at Martel Maides (20% buyer’s premium) in St Peter Port, Guernsey.
Martin Brothers birds at the double in salerooms
03 July 2026Two small single-owner collections of Martin Brothers stoneware were offered in June: one at Catherine Southon (27.6% buyer’s premium inc VAT) in Chislehurst, Kent, on June 17, the other as part of the Charterhouse (25% buyer’s premium) June 25 sale in Sherborne, Dorset.
Auction record for 19th century literature as Brontë sisters' book in rare cloth binding emerges
02 July 2026An 1847 first edition of Emily Brontë’s 'Wuthering Heights' (together with 'Agnes Grey' by Anne Brontë) sold for £950,000 at Christie’s on June 30.
Safe way to stare at the mesmerising Medusa
26 June 2026Duke’s Fine Jewellery, Watches and Silver auction in Dorchester on June 17-19 was topped at £170,000 by this George III hexagonal pendant centred by a carved Colombian emerald within a border of graduated cushion cut diamonds.
Heraldic supporters and salvers shine as Treasure House Fair starts
26 June 2026The Treasure House Fair returned for its fourth edition at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
Spectacular George II side table takes £90,000 hammer
26 June 2026A remarkable George II giltwood and marble side table sold for £90,000 at Sworders on June 23.