Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
Auction buyers get claws into Wemyss cats
29 January 2024This smiling tabby cat formed part of an extensive collection of Scottish Wemyss Ware sold at Lyon & Turnbull.
Mark Knopfler's Gibson guitar and pair of torchère figures are among five lots to watch
29 January 2024With estimates from £200, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week.
Annual auction totals: Dreweatts takes top spot again in an increasingly selective market
29 January 2024Regional firms report that while big buyers remain active the middle level is challenging
Allan Ramsay the royal favourite
29 January 2024The precise and sensitive portraiture of Allan Ramsay (1713-84) earned him widespread acclaim, aided by his prodigious intellect and social flair.
Venini glass designs from two Italian architects build up transatlantic interest
29 January 2024Two exceptional pieces of Venini glass surfaced at auction in the final days of 2023 on different sides of the Atlantic.
White-gloves and a trilby hat for Dick Turpin sale
26 January 2024Sworders enjoyed a white-glove sale and a £406,000 total for the personal collection of Maurice Turpin (1928-2005).
From Walpole to Sunak, a prime ministerial autograph collection comes to market
26 January 2024A private collection comprising the signatures of every one of Britain’s Prime Ministers comes for sale at Chiswick Auctions this month.
Rare Northwest coast shamanic mask prompts tribal gathering in Royston
25 January 2024A 19th century Native American wolf mask, once used in religious ceremonies on the Northwest coast, emerged from the obscurity of a £50-100 estimate to bring £14,000 at auction in Hertfordshire.
A Scottish Wemyss Ware vase from a prolific collector is among five lots to watch
22 January 2024With estimates from £300, here are five previews of items coming up this week.
US president mesmerised by Lillie Langtry
22 January 2024Though largely forgotten today, Lillie Langtry (1853-1929) was probably England’s first superstar, moving effortlessly from the stage to high society.
Hawaiian high: Sandwich Islands noblewoman sells for 180-times top guide
22 January 2024Portrait of Sandwich Islands noblewoman who visited London on diplomatic tour in 1824 appears in Maryland auction
Pick of the week: Costume drama – the great Pinetti
22 January 2024A rare portrait of the magician Chevalier Joseph Pinetti (1750-1800) emerged for sale in Asheville, North Carolina.
Early Newcastle silver sniffed out in Oxford saleroom
22 January 2024The earliest records of the silversmithing on the Tyne date from 1249.
Archive shines light on Wedgwood Liberty ware
22 January 2024A rare archive related to the Wedgwood Liberty Ware project designed to raise money for victims of the First World War comes for sale at Freeman’s Hindman in Philadelphia.
English Civil War siege relics race away to hammer for 25 times the low estimate
22 January 2024This 19th century glazed wooden case containing musket balls, ceramic fragments and three complete clay pipes was eagerly contested at auction.
Signed Fab Four photos are big hits with bidders
22 January 2024A c.1964 publicity photograph signed by all four members of The Beatles sold for £13,000 at Bristol auction house Auctioneum (21% buyer’s premium).
Lampshade highlights the work of Quentin Bell, the last of Bloomsbury
22 January 2024A lampshade painted by Quentin Bell sold for a remarkable £4700 when Adam Partridge (20% buyer’s premium) dispersed the residual collection of Michael Evans in Macclesfield.
Keeping the dust jacket was definitely not a dumb move
22 January 2024An original dust jacket made all the difference when Weiss Auctions (20% buyer’s premium) offered a first edition copy of Agatha Christie’s Dumb Witness in Lynbrook, New York.