Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
Benin plaque surfaces in Virginia auction after family dispute
27 September 2016One of the famed 16th century bronze plaques recovered from the charred ruins of the Benin Kingdom’s royal palace carries an estimate of $800,000-$1.2m at Quinn’s Auction Galleries in Virginia on October 1.
Tate acquire early Joan Carlile portrait
26 September 2016The Tate has acquired its earliest picture by a female artist.
Red tape set to cripple ivory sales in France
22 September 2016The market for antique ivory in France looks set to be paralysed by bureaucracy, a lawyer for dealer association Syndicat National des Antiquaires (SNA) has told ATG.
New MD for coin specialists Baldwin’s
12 September 2016Coin dealers and auctioneers AH Baldwin & Sons have appointed Neil Paisley as managing director.
Forum to offer interest-free credit on auction purchases
09 September 2016Forum Auctions are to introduce a credit facility for buyers at future sales. In an exclusive arrangement with lending platform Unbolted, the new London firm will offer approved bidders the opportunity to pay for purchases with up to 90 days of interest-free finance.
Restituted German Romantic drawing for sale at Berlin auction in November
07 September 2016A much-exhibited early 19th century drawing, restituted in August to the heirs of a Holocaust victim, has immediately appeared for sale in Germany.
Five members of Baldwin’s staff leave Stanley Gibbons Group and join Ian Goldbart's new business
02 September 2016Ian Goldbart, lifelong coin collector and former managing director of AH Baldwin & Sons, is launching a new numismatic dealership and auction firm in Mayfair.
Woolley & Wallis open London office in Mayfair
30 August 2016Salisbury auction house Woolley & Wallis are opening a Mayfair office.
Carved in Russia and mounted in Scotland – coconut cup takes £8000 bid
26 August 2016This George III coconut cup with silver strapwork mounts sold by Lyon & Turnbull of Edinburgh provides a glimpse of the close relationship that existed between Scotland and Russia in the late 18th century.
Hatton Garden jewellery quarter under threat from rent hikes
25 August 2016The imminent arrival of Crossrail services in London are threatening the character of the Hatton Garden jewellery quarter.
Sworders to offer ‘toys’ from Hugh Marsham Townshend collection
24 August 2016When in the middle of the century Suffolk collector Hugh Marsham Townshend (1878-1967) was amassing a collection of gold-mounted porcelain scent bottles and other trinkets, most were thought to be the products of the Chelsea porcelain works or a shadowy enterprise known as the ‘Girl in a Swing’ factory.
Scrimshaw market shows signs of a return to buoyancy at sale of Memishian collection in US
18 August 2016Scrimshaw has been in the doldrums during the last few years with several dealers and auctioneers holding back on sales until there is more legislative clarity over the rules concerning its sale and importation.
Ex-Bonhams duo launch independent auction firm to champion furniture sales
18 August 2016Two well-known former London auction specialists are launching a new enterprise selling English and European antique furniture.
1933 and all that: $165,000 for Britain’s numismatic superstar
16 August 2016Dallas-based Heritage Auctions set a new record for any copper or bronze coin when a 1933 penny took $165,000 (£127,000). The buyer was a private collector.
Rich rewards for Kent’s cottage industry as Tunbridge ware draws the bidders
11 August 2016Estimated at £1200-1800, a rare Tunbridge ware spice box sold for £10,600 at Bleasdales in Warwick.
Early Hans Coper bowl bought for V&A after export ban
10 August 2016The V&A have acquired an early form by the artist-potter Hans Coper (1920-81). Made in 1955 in the studio Coper shared with Lucie Rie in Paddington, London, the large bowl was the subject of a temporary export ban in 2015 in the hope a UK buyer could be found.
Nicholas Hall leaves Christie's after 12 years and returns to dealing
04 August 2016After 12 years with Christie’s, Nicholas Hall, international head of Old Master and 19th century paintings, is leaving to return to private dealing.
China Guardian founder takes largest shareholding in Sothebys
04 August 2016The largest shareholder in Beijing’s China Guardian Auctions has also become the largest single shareholder in Sotheby’s. Cheng Dongshen, chairman and chief executive of Taikang Life Insurance, purchased $230m or 8m Sotheby’s shares across June and July and now has a 13.5% stake.
Thousands of ‘frozen’ manuscripts from bankrupt Aristophil fund to return to market
28 July 2016Historical documents and manuscripts from the scandal-hit Aristophil investment scheme could soon return to the market as the slow process of restitution promises to quicken in the coming weeks.
‘Le Boba’ sets auction record for Star Wars figure, selling for £21,000 at Vectis
25 July 2016A new record for a Star Wars production figure was established at Vectis' latest sale when a French issue of Boba Fett, the memorable bit-part character in ‘The Empire Strikes Back’, sold for £21,000.