Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
Qing gilt-bronze incense burner sells at 17-times estimate to Hong Kong buyer at Sworders
30 November 2020Sworders (25% buyer’s premium) latest Asian art sale in Stansted Mountfitchet included this ‘splashed’ gilt-bronze incense burner from the Qing (1644-1911) period.
Guangxu in pastel shades
30 November 2020The term 'qianjiangcai' refers to a ‘pastel coloured’ palette of enamels used by Tongzhi (1856-75) and Guangxu (1875-1908), porcelain painters in the years after the Taiping rebellion and the destruction of the Jingdezhen kilns.
Monochrome surprise as Chinese bowl brings hefty bidding at Dreweatts
30 November 2020The unexpected highlight of Dreweatts’ (25% buyer’s premium) sale on November 12 was provided by this copper red glazed globular form bowl.
Auction previews: issue 2470
30 November 2020A selection of 13 upcoming lots from auctions taking place around the UK and Ireland.
Textbook Kangxi blue and white vases emerge at sales in the north and south
30 November 2020Pictured below are two textbook Kangxi (1662-1722) period blue and white vases.
Magnificent monteith is £90,000 prize
30 November 2020It is thought that the earliest Chinese porcelain monteith appeared c.1715, coinciding with the establishment of the East India Company’s factory in Canton.
Early wares with Janssens provenance provide highlights to Roseberys sale
30 November 2020On November 11 in West Norwood, London, Roseberys (25% buyer’s premium) offered 50 lots from the estate of Anglo-Dutch collectors Albert (1927-2018) and Leonie van Daalen-Roell (1930-2018). Many pieces – typically early bronzes and sancai glazed ceramics from the classic era – had been bought from London dealer Ben Janssens Oriental Art.
‘Kyng James’ hawking ring found by a metal detectorist stars in our latest pick of five auction highlights
27 November 2020ATG’s weekly selection of items that caught bidders’ eyes includes an early 17th century silver hawking ring found by a metal detectorist in West Sussex that sold for over three-times estimate.
Gold stater of king Caratacus sets auction record for a British Iron Age coin
23 November 2020David Sear, author of Roman Coins and their Values, called it “among the most exciting numismatic discoveries of the 21st century, if not of all time”.
Pick of the week: Florence sparkles in Castrucci’s stunning stone carving
23 November 2020In 1592, the Florentine stone carver Cosimo Castrucci (fl.1576-1602) was called to the imperial court in Prague by Rudolph II.
A jester teddy and a sketch of Lord Nelson are among the nine lots to watch at auction
23 November 2020With estimates from £40-12,000 here are nine previews of upcoming items this week.
Gifts from Queen Victoria: Jewellery presented to god-daughters and family friends in the spotlight at Cheffins
23 November 2020Gifts from Queen Victoria to two of her god-daughters garnered international attention at Cheffins (22.5% buyer’s premium) in Cambridge.
Auction previews: issue 2469
23 November 2020A selection of 16 upcoming lots from auctions taking place around the UK and Ireland.
Table lamp made of synthetic material lights up auction
23 November 2020Ottoman bead carvers in Istanbul – makers of the garlands of beads known as tesbih and komboloi – were swift to appreciate the potential of Bakelite in c.1910.
Great example of Grand Tour glyphic art sells for over 40-times estimate at Sworders
23 November 2020Exceptional examples of the glyphic arts – the apotheosis of jewellery collecting during the Grand Tour era – are rising high in the saleroom once more.
‘Artist jeweller’ Donald very much back in vogue
23 November 2020Two private collections of the work of John Donald (b.1928) enjoyed a clean sweep at auctions in recent weeks.
Lalique shines as period pieces impress
23 November 2020A Lalique glass, enamel and diamond bracelet, brooch and earring suite was sold at Lyon & Turnbull (25% buyer’s premium) for the first time since it was bought by the Edwardian heiress Florence Evelyn St George (1870-1936).
Van Cleef & Arpels – courtesy of Joan Collins
23 November 2020The economic crisis of the Great Depression inspired a vogue for many versatile jewels, particularly clip brooches that could be worn on lapels, hat trims and the latest hairstyles.
Australian gold rush jewellery in strong demand
23 November 2020The distinctive Antipodean ‘botanical’ jewellery of the gold rush era is among the first to depict the native flora and fauna. It is of huge cultural significance to Australia and its mining heritage.
Victorian ring concealing a practical joke brings sensational bidding in Somerset
23 November 2020This curious object is the forerunner of a million Christmas cracker prizes. Made in gold and silver, c.1830, the ‘ring’ chased with flowers includes a tiny pin hole which allows a jet of water to be squirted into the face of an unsuspecting admirer via a syringe-like plunger that can be concealed in the palm.