Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
Captain Cook connection
07 October 2019This Resolution and Adventure medal is one of 2000 that were commissioned by the British Admiralty ahead of James Cook’s Second Voyage.
Commons goes ape for Banksy auction record
07 October 2019Banksy’s derisive portrayal of The House of Commons reduced to an assembly of primates achieved a record £8.5m (plus premium) in Sotheby’s Contemporary Art auction on October 3.
Chinese dragon charger, Georgian Valentine cards and a majolica cheese dish – six auction highlights that caught bidders’ eyes in the last week
04 October 2019ATG’s selection of hammer highlights this week includes a Guangxu period ‘dragon’ charger and a whimsical majolica cheese dish that both made over 30-times estimate.
10 top lots on offer at Duke’s auction of contents from Athelhampton House
03 October 2019“Good old-fashioned country house auctions are a rarity these days and it is a privilege to organise one against such an historic backdrop.” So says Guy Schwinge of Dorchester auction house Duke’s, referring to the upcoming sale of the contents from Athelhampton House in Dorset.
Art Deco emerald brooch takes £120,000 at Bonhams
30 September 2019Sold at Bonhams last week, the emerald in this Art Deco brooch is a clue to the remarkable life of its one-time owner Lady Hood.
Pick of the week: Polynesian war club is a big hit in Salisbury
30 September 2019A tribal war club from the Marquesas Islands with textbook provenance has sold for £71,000 at Woolley & Wallis. The u’u (head club) came for sale at the Salisbury saleroom from the descendants of an early-19th century missionary.
‘Mother of all Philippine maps’ sells in Essex auction
30 September 2019The first tranche of a private collection of predominantly Far Eastern maps and charts sold for more than £500,000 at Reeman Dansie and included a house record.
Five lots to watch at auction this week including cult Contemporary art, a William IV needlework sampler and a RAF clock
30 September 2019With estimates from £150-1500, here are five previews of upcoming sales this week.
Jewellery: How the circles of life affect values at auction
30 September 2019A poignant background story or strong suggestion of original ownership greatly adds to the appeal of early jewellery finds often unearthed by metal detectors
Russian rarities from the McGills of Moscow bring interest at Gildings
30 September 2019A sale at Gildings in Market Harborough this month included 10 lots from the family of Albert and Nora McGill – influential industrialists credited with a key role in the founding of Russia’s cotton mill industry in the mid-19th century.
The four ‘Cs’ – and the right location
30 September 2019Coloured diamonds aside, rubies command higher prices per carat than any other gemstone. Graded using the traditional criteria of the four Cs (colour, cut, clarity and carat weight), they are also evaluated on the basis of geographic origin with the stones from Burma commanding the most interest.