JEWELLERY
Three remarkable examples of fine quality Ceylon blue sapphires are set to go under the hammer at Tennants Auctioneers, North Yorkshire in the Fine Jewellery, Watches and Silver Sale on 14th March.
Jessica Fall, Jewellery Specialist at Tennants comments: “Each stone was hand selected by a well-reputed gem merchant in Sri Lanka and cut with precision. Acquired directly by the vendor through familial connections as investment gemstones, they are completely fresh to the global market.”
The outstanding Prince of Orion Sapphire and Diamond Ring, which is expected to sell for £120,000-150,000, features an incredibly rare 15.07 carat sapphire with an astounding colour acquired from gem traders in the Elahara mines of Sri Lanka, which is renowned for its supply of beautiful Ceylon blue sapphires. The Sword of Orion Sapphire and Diamond Ring, with a central vivid blue sapphire of 8.81 carat, is offered with an estimate of £45,000-50,000, and the Merveilleux Diana Sapphire and Diamond Ring with a 4.07 carat intense-vivid blue sapphire has an estimate of £15,000-20,000 (all figures exclude buyer’s premium). All three rings have been laboratory tested and certified as unheated.
The sapphires lead a fine selection of jewellery, with pieces from leading jewellery houses such as a striking Diamond ‘Swirlwind’ Necklace retailed by Boodle and Dunthorne (estimate: £10,000-15,000), a Diamond ‘Serpenti Viper’ Ring by Bulgari (estimate: £8,000-10,000), and a Cultured Pearl Necklace by Mikimoto (estimate: £2,200-2,800). Good diamond jewellery in the sale includes an 18 Carat White Gold Diamond Three-Stone Ring (estimate: £5,000-7,000), and a Diamond Solitaire Pendant on Chain (estimate: £4,000-6,000). For those looking for antique jewellery, notable lots include a Diamond Brooch/Pendant made circa 1860 (estimate: £6,000-8,000), a Ruby and Diamond Ring made circa 1850 (estimate: £700-1,00), and an Art Deco Emerald and Diamond Bracelet (estimate: £2,500-3,500).
WATCHES
A small private collection of Tank Americaine watches by Cartier are led by a Fine 18 Carat Gold Tank Americaine, which features square and baguette-cut diamonds set in the Cartier factory (estimate: £15,000-20,000). The Tank Americaine was launched by Cartier in 1989, having evolved from the revolutionary Tank Cintrée, which broke all contemporary rules of watch design when it was launched in 1921, with sleek, strikingly modern lines. Also diamond-set is a fine Patek Philippe Lady’s 18 Carat Rose Gold Diamond-Set Twenty-4 Watch (estimate: £10,000-12,000). From Omega is an Apollo 11th 50th Anniversary Moon Landings Speedmaster, one of a limited edition released in 2019 (estimate: £7,000-8,000), and a further good, limited edition watch is a IWC Stainless Steel Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Edition Kurt Klaus Watch, made in 2008 to celebrate the legendary watchmaker Kurt Klaus (estimate: £5,000-6,000). Also from IWC is a Stainless Steel “Jumbo” Sizes Big Pilot’s Edition Le Petit Prince (estimate: £4,000-5,000). Amongst the pocket watches is a good Gold Pair Cased Quarter Repeater Cylinder Pocket Watch by Fras Perigal of London, made in 1767 (estimate: £2,500-3,000).
SILVER
A fine Louis XV Gold Snuff Box made in 1763 by Pierre Siffait of Paris is offered with an estimate of £20,000-30,000. The box is set with a portrait miniature of the Hon. Peregrine Widdrington (1692-1748/9) and is thought to have been commissioned posthumously as a tribute by his nephew the Hon. William Tempest Widdrington, who inherited most of his estates. Peregrine Widdrington was from a family of staunch Catholics, who were supporters of the Stuart claim to the crowns of England, Scotland and Ireland; indeed, both Peregrine and his brother William were taken prisoner after the Battle of Preston during the 1715 Jacobite Rising. Despite loosing his health and much of his fortune at this time, Peregrine went on to marry Mary Franisca Shireburn, a wealthy heiress and the Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, before dying in Lancashire.
Good lots made by one of the most important and long-standing firms of silversmiths are also on offer in the sale. Garrards was founded in 1722, and after several changes in management was taken over in 1792 by Robert Garrard Snr. and John Wakelin; in 1802 Wakelin died and Garrard took control, in whose family the firm remained for over 150 years. The lots on offer in the sale include two sets of Twelve Victorian Silver Dinner-Plates by Robert Garrard of London dating to the mid-18th century with the coat-of-arms of the Earls of Cardigan (estimate: £8,000-12,000), and a George III Silver-Gilt Cup and Cover by John Wakelin and Robert Garrard, London, 1793, which was presented to General Lake, later 1st Viscount Lake, by the Officers of the Brigade of Foot Guards and the Artillery for his command in Flanders in 1793 during the War of the First Coalition.
Silver from the 20th century is well-represented, with an Elizabeth II Silver Model of Red Rum after model by Maureen Coatman, one of a limited edition of 25 made in 1979 (estimate: £20,000-30,000), and a Pair of Elizabeth II Scottish Silver Three-Light Candelabra by T.K. Ebbutt Ltd., (estimate: £6,000-8,000). The sale will also offer nearly 160 lots of silver from Corby Castle, Cumbria.
View Sale
