Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
DNW challenges status quo with premium rise at numismatic sales
05 August 2019Dix Noonan Webb (DNW) has become the first UK numismatics auction house to set its buyer’s premium beyond 20%. The London coins, medal and jewellery specialist will charge a premium of 24% from September.
Yongzheng perfection sets house record in Bath
05 August 2019Aldridges of Bath smashed its house record last week with the sale of a Yongzheng mark and period bowl for £220,000 (plus 20% buyer’s premium). It had come for sale following a routine house call.
Pick of the week: Pocketwatch with Oliver Cromwell connection sells in Cumbria
05 August 2019Did a watch offered for sale in Carlisle at the end of July once belong to Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658)? Two centuries of provenance suggest it did.
Thai silver tea kettle bid to triple estimate at Leicestershire auction
05 August 2019An exceptional example of Thai silversmithing has sold for £13,500 (plus 17.5% buyer’s premium) in Leicestershire.
Twentieth century furniture tempts buyers
05 August 2019There’s no doubt that items from some of the ‘eureka’ moments in Victorian design are falling away from the collecting zeitgeist. The current fashion is undoubtedly towards the creative ideas of the second half of the 20th century.
Preiss is right ahead of ivory ban
05 August 2019Under forthcoming UK ivory legislation, there will be no legitimate market for bronze and ivory Art Deco figures.
Rare toby jug, King James Bible and a Chinese lacquer workbox – five auction highlights that caught bidders’ eyes in the last week
02 August 2019ATG’s selection of hammer highlights over the past week includes a second edition of the King James Bible from c.1613 and a mid-19th century Chinese gilt and black lacquer workbox.
Buyer’s premium rise for leading UK coin auctioneer
29 July 2019Dix Noonan Webb (DNW) has become the first UK numismatics auctioneer to set its buyer’s premium beyond 20%. The London-based coins, medal and jewellery specialist will charge a premium of 24% from September.
Spider-Man's debut and other Silver Age rarities among massive Newcastle comics auction
23 July 2019Newcastle-upon-Tyne auction house Anderson & Garland will begin the sale of a vast number of vintage comics this week.
Bids pour in for Tiffany tea caddy with Japanese elements
22 July 2019An unusual entry to the latest Silver & Objects of Vertu sale at Woolley & Wallis in Salisbury was this 5in (13cm) silver and mixed metal tea caddy by Tiffany & Co.
Auction record as Boba Fett blasts to new Star Wars high
22 July 2019An auction record for a Star Wars toy was established when Hake’s Auctions of York, Pennsylvania, sold a rocket-firing Boba Fett action figure for $95,700 (£76,600).
Al Thani dispersal at Christie's was unparalleled in recent memory
22 July 2019The marathon 12-hour 'Maharajas & Mughal Magnificence' auction of jewellery and works of art from the Al Thani family held in New York last month was a once-in-a-generation event.
Qing period gold wedding boxes emerge at Singapore auction
22 July 2019A pair of 20ct gold wedding boxes dating from the late Qing period is on offer (one shown here). Both are embossed with the 12 symbols of the Chinese zodiac with the lids decorated with the sign of the Dragon and the Rabbit identifying each marriage partner.
London Auctions enters liquidation with consignors among creditors
22 July 2019London Auctions Ltd is insolvent and has entered liquidation proceedings.
Strong demand for Boer War medal honouring bravery regardless of race
22 July 2019A medal, silver cigar box and ‘oil lamp’ lighter sold at Ramsay Cornish's latest sale in Edinburgh had come by descent from Major Jonathan Leslie Dean (1859-1926). He was a key participant in the defence of O’okiep (1902), the small town in the Northern Cape that was besieged by Boer Commandos from April 4-May 4, 1902, towards the end of the Second Boer War.
Regions enjoy the fruits of solid English oak
22 July 2019A 17th century oak panel marking the rebuilding of one of the best-known dwellings on the Chester Rows sold at auction last week for £4600.