Results: Fine Jewellery, Watches & Silver Sale 11th July

Antique jewellery was in high demand in the Fine Jewellery, Watches and Silver Sale at Tennants Auctioneers on 11^th July, with bidders competing over period pieces resulting in very strong prices. One of the top lots of the sale was a Diamond Three Stone Ring made circa 1910 that sold for £14,000 (all figures exclude buyer’s premium). A late Victorian Diamond Brooch/Pendant on Chain sold well at £5,500, a charming circa 1880 Diamond Brooch in the form of a bee sold for £4,800, and among the coloured period stones in the sale a Sapphire and Diamond Cluster Ring sold for £3,200, and a mid-19^th century Topaz and Chrysoberyl Brooch sold for £2,900. The diamond market remains strong for good quality and well-made items. Outstanding examples of more modern diamonds in the sale included a Diamond Solitaire Ring with an approximately 4.80 carat diamond that sold for £16,000, and a Pair of Diamond Cluster Earrings that sold for £11,500.

The watches in the sale were led by two notable pieces by Patek Philippe, firstly a fine Lady’s Stainless Steel Diamond Set ‘Twenty-4’ Wristwatch (sold for £11,000), and a good 18 Carat Gold ‘Gondolo’ Wristwatch (sold for £8,000). A Rolex Steel and Gold ‘GMT Master’ Wristwatch with the sought-after ‘Root Beer Nipple Dial’ sold solidly to achieve a hammer price of £8,500, and a Jaeger LeCoultre 18 Carat Rose Gold ‘Master Eight Days’ Wristwatch sold for £7,500. Also of interest was a Cartier lady’s 18 Carat Rose Gold Diamond Set ‘Tortue’ Wristwatch (sold for £6,500), and a Chopard Stainless Steel ‘Alpine Eagle XL’ Wristwatch (sold for £6,000).  

Amongst fine lots of silver in the sale, was an impressive pair of ornate 20^th century Spanish Silver Pots-à-Oille and Stands or soup tureens that sold for £14,000. One of the pots was marked for Muñoz Garrido, and the tureens are highly decorated in a marine theme, with mermaids, seahorses and crustaceans. Other good lots of European silver included a German Silver and Amethyst-Set Canister and Cover made by Hayno Focken circa 1940 (sold for £2,500), and a pair of George IV Silver Tea-Caddies in a Victorian Silver-Mounted Box, the caddies by John Wakefield, London, 1827 and the Caddy Spoon and Silver-Mounts by Charles Thomas Fox and George Fox, London, 1855 and 1857 (sold for £2,200). With Robert Burns interest was a Victorian Scottish Silver-Mounted Oak Snuff-Box by Muirhead and Arthur of Glasgow. According to the inscription, the oak was taken from part of the roof of Alloway Auld Kirk, the 16^th century shell of a church in the village of Burns’ birth, now a suburb of Ayr. The church was the scene of the witches’ dance in Burns’ famous poem Tam o’Shanter, and the top of the box is inscribed with lines from another of Burns’ works. The box was presented to a Mr William Elliot of Glasgow in 1844 and sold for £550. Selling well, too, was Eastern silver, with a Chinese Export Silver Jug retailed by Cum Shing, Canton in the 19^th century selling for £3,400, and an Indian Parcel-Gilt Silver Betel-Box and Cover dating from the 19^th century selling for £1,900.  

The sale achieved a total hammer price of £659,060 for 432 lots and a 90% sold rate.

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