A 16th century Silver-Gilt Chalice and a Provincial Silver Paten is set to go under the hammer in the Jewellery, Watches and Silver Sale at Tennants Auctioneers on 16th May, with an estimate of £3,000-5,000 (all figures exclude buyer’s premium). The chalice itself is engraved with a crucifixion scene to the base and masks to the stem, and whilst the maker’s mark is indistinct, it is thought that it is perhaps Irish in origin; the paten, however, bears the marks of York silversmith Christopher Hunton, and was made circa 1570. A further early lot in the sale comes in the form of a Louis XV Provincial Silver Wine-Taster, made circa 1740 by Henry Lemoine of Vitry-le-François; the taster is engraved with a female figure holding a flask, a snake, and the name ‘Piere Claude Lefeve’ (estimate: £600-800).
Dating from the 20th century are a fine Continental Gold Mesh Purse (estimate: £2,000-3,000), a Dunhill ‘Aquarium’ Lucite Table Lighter in the Manner of Ben Shillingford (estimate: £1,000-1,500), and an Elizabeth II Silver Bowl by Leslie Gordon Durbin, made in London in 1968 (estimate: £200-300). Also on offer in the sale is a collection of Thai silver dating from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Sold in 13 lots, highlights of the collection include a 1921 Thai Silver Bowl presented to the winner of the ‘Grand Stand Cup’ at the Royal Turf Club of Siam Grand Stand Meeting (estimate: £2,000-3,000) and a Thai Silver Tray (estimate: £1,500-2,500).
The sale is a treasure trove for jewellery collectors, with plenty of rare and unusual pieces on offer. Amongst those to look out for amongst the period pieces are a delicate Enamel Necklace by Victor Mayer for Fabergé (estimate: £1,000-1,500) and an Art Nouveau Enamel and Pearl Necklace which has delicately coloured enamelling, with pale green and pink rather than the bolder colours usually associated with the medium (estimate: £500-700). More modern pieces include a Multi-Gem Set Bracelet with an unusual combination of aquamarines and sapphires (estimate: £500-700), and a pair of Diamond Solitaire Earrings in which the stones are heart-shaped (estimate: £300-500).
An array of unusual Victorian brooches is also on offer, such as a circa 1860 Pearl and Diamond Brooch in the form of a snowdrop (estimate: £300-500), a good example of late Victorian souvenir jewellery in a circa 1860 Micro Mosaic Brooch depicting St. Peter’s (estimate: £300-500), a novelty Ruby, Diamond and Pearl Brooch made circa 1900 in the shape of a golf club and ball (estimate: £200-300), and a good quality Garnet, Diamond and Enamel Brooch made circa 1860 (estimate: £500-700).
Second World War military watches continue to attract high levels of interest at auction, and on offer in the sale is a nice Jaeger LeCoultre Royal Air Force Pilot’s Centre Seconds Wristwatch dating from the 1940 and offered with an estimate of £500-700. Dating from the same era is a Universal Stainless Steel ‘Dato-Compax’ Calendar Chronograph Wristwatch (ref: 22326), offered with an estimate of £400-500. Dating from 1955 is an attractive, classic 9 carat gold Rolex ‘Oyster Precision’ Centre Seconds Wristwatch (ref: 6422) (estimate: £400-600), and from the 1970s is a Jaeger LeCoultre Stainless Steel ‘Club’ Automatic Day/Date Centre Seconds Wristwatch (ref: E0300405 (estimate: £500-700). The latter was produced by Jaeger LeCoultre as a more affordable luxury watch, to combat the vast number of good quality Japanese and Swiss quartz watches that flooded the market during the ‘Quartz Crisis’ in the 1960s and 1970s.
Amongst the modern watches is a good example from Swiss watchmaker Carl Bucherer, a Stainless Steel ‘Patravi Travelgraph’ Automatic Calendar GMT Chronograph Wristwatch (estimate: £700-900), and amongst the pocket watches in the sale is a good 18 Carat Gold Pocket Watch made in 1832 and decorated with a diamond end stone and floral borders (estimate: £1,500-1,800).
