Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
Opening times - Satsuma wares
21 October 2019The history of Satsuma wares, among the most recognised and profitable export products of the Meiji period, is interwoven with the opening up of Japan after centuries of isolation.
Ancient Cypriot jug, Suffragette porcelain tea service and Remington number 1 typewriter – five auction highlights that caught bidders’ eyes in the last week
18 October 2019ATG’s selection of hammer highlights this week includes an ancient Cypriot jug that was bid four times over estimate.
‘The finest piece of imperial glass to survive’ sells at nine-fold increase since 2000
14 October 2019The most important example of Qing glassware to appear at auction sold for HK$180m (£18m) – the highlight of Sotheby’s recent series in Hong Kong.
Russian porcelain rarity sells for £50,000 online
14 October 2019A State Porcelain Factory figure by Natalina Danko (1892-1943) emerged at auction in Grantham earlier this month.
Pick of the week: Dürer medal to honour emperor
14 October 2019Albrecht Dürer’s medal dedicated to Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, is among the most important medals of the Northern Renaissance. As only four are known to commerce, the appearance of one for sale is significant.
Five lots to watch at auction this week including a 6ft King Kong figure, an antique roulette wheel and a Scottish colourist painting
14 October 2019With estimates from £200-35,000, here are five previews of upcoming sales this week.
Christopher Dresser vase, Staffordshire pottery animals and a carved oak panel – five auction highlights that caught bidders’ eyes in the last week
11 October 2019ATG’s selection of hammer highlights this week includes a Christopher Dresser vase that made over 40-times estimate and a group of Staffordshire pottery animals that fetched over 20-times estimate.
Five lots to watch at auction this week including an Edwardian gadget walking cane, studio pottery and Eames chairs
07 October 2019With estimates from £250-12,000, here are five previews of upcoming sales this week.
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.
‘Dragon’ charger flexes its wings
07 October 2019A generation ago pieces such as this splendid 20in (50cm) famille rose ‘dragon’ charger from the Guangxu period (1874-1908) were valued chiefly as decorative objects. However, appreciation of the best quality porcelain produced in the last years of the Qing continues to grow.
Stylish Lenci skyscraper lady is on top of the auction world after £34,000 bid
07 October 2019The stylish Art Deco pottery figures for which Ars Lenci became celebrated were first shown at the Turin international exhibition in 1928.
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.
Bede reprint prized for illustrious provenance
07 October 2019The first printed copy of Bede’s Historia Ecclesiastica was published in Strasbourg as early as c.1475 with subsequent versions printed in Vienna (1513), Strasbourg again (1500), Haguenau (1506), Paris (1544) and Antwerp (1550).
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.