Brightwells' Silver, Jewellery and Coins Sale 20 June 2012

Wednesday, July 04, 2012

A ravishing display of good jewellery and silver attracted many buyers to Brightwells on 20 June. An enamel and gem set snuff box in the form of a boar's head was a tantalising item as the marks were indistinct. Decorated with garnets, the enamelled lid set with a rose cut diamond within the Imperial Eagle, the box retained the allure of the long-lost German courts and sold for £720. An elegant enamel and diamond set snuff box also with the Imperial Eagle motif was reminiscent of the work of Fabergé and sold for £900.

A man's Rolex bi-metal automatic Oyster Perpetual Datejust wristwatch, circa 1986, led the selection of watches at £1,800 with a woman's 18ct cocktail watch set with diamond rose-cut stones making £370. An 18ct gold pocket watch with a floral engraved gilt dial sold for £290 with a man's Tissot wristwatch in 18ct gold selling at £300. A George V 9ct gold cased pocket watch with a short chain sold for £300 with a Walthamhunter pocket watch in a 9ct case achieving £270.

Diamond rings are always in fashion with a number regularly purchased for engagements. An Art Deco-style sapphire set within a border of pavé set old-cut diamonds made a perfect engagement ring and sold for £1,550. An emerald and diamond cluster set in a pierced and carved mount sold for £1,600 with a three-stone ring with graduated step-cut stones set in 18ct white gold making £1,800. An Art Deco diamond ring, the claw-set old cut stone set between horseshoe shaped shoulders in a platinum setting made £2,100. A sapphire and diamond three-stone in 18ct white gold went for £1,650. A wide range of affordable engagement and gift rings included an emerald and diamond cluster set in 18ct gold at £75 and a ruby and diamond also in 18ct gold at £180. Two eternity rings channel set with ruby and sapphire baguettes made £95.

A pair of stylish diamond and cultured pearl ear pendants sold for £380 with an impressive pair of studs, each claw-set brilliant cut stone set in 18ct. white gold achieving £1,700. A pair of pearl and diamond studs, each millegrain-set group of brilliant-cut diamonds below a Mabe pearl mounted in gold sold for £400. Pearls are currently fashion favourites with a double row of graduated seed pearls with a diamond set clasp selling for £360 while a triple row of graduated cultured pearls with a 9ct white gold clasp sold for £270. A cultured baroque pearl, diamond and tanzanite bead necklace interspersed with white metal beads, millegrain set with numerous circular cut diamonds, achieved £2,200. An Edwardian pendant that could be converted to a brooch, the openwork plaque set with three amethysts and seed pearls set in 9ct gold made £170 with a peridot and seed pearl pendant, without chain, making £140. A citrine and a green stone pendant, the one stone set within a border of seed pearls sold together for £220.

A diamond tennis bracelet, each flexible link collet-set, brilliant-cut stone set in 18ct gold was contested to £1,350. The price of bangles is often restrained because they vary so much in size and are more difficult to re-size than rings and consequently women with very slim wrists often buy to great advantage . A peridot, garnet and seed pearl hinged bangle was such a purchase at £130. Two hinged gold bangles sold together for £220 with a Victorian hinged silver bangle selling for £50. Bracelets are much more adaptable than bangles, with a turquoise and seed pearl in 15ct gold selling for £280 and a seed pearl and diamond in the form of graduated flower head plaques with claw set old cut diamond to the centre flower making £590.

Very early antique silver in nice condition is hard to find, but there were two pieces from the reign of Charles II in this sale. Both were two-handled porringers, the first, scroll embossed, was probably the work of Gilbert Shepherd. Marked London 1660, it sold for £2,050. The other, with a leafage design and caryatid mask handles was marked London 1668 with the maker R.S between mullets, and sold for £1,650. A 17^thcentury silver-gilt trefid spoon marked with a crown above SG made £200 while a seal top spoon, London 1612 sold for £600.

A fine arts and crafts presentation cigar box with simulated strapwork inset with green cabochons and measuring 13 x 61/2 inches, marked London 1901, sold for £2,400. An Art Deco fruit bowl made by Adie Brothers, Birmingham 1934, and in the currently popular simple form weighing 41oz. sold for £1,220. A Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Company large two-handled bowl in the form of a quaich with a Celtic frieze marked London 1928 (34 oz) sold for £490. Amongst novelty items, a silver peperette in the form of a bird sold for £360 while four tortoiseshell and silver menu holders made £540. A very rare silver pincushion in the form of a teddy bear with articulated arms, Birmingham1908, sold for £430.

Georgian and Victorian silver included a baluster jug made by William Grundy, London 1743 weighing 22 oz that sold for £1,950 and a circular salver with a shell and scroll border made by Wm. Peaston London 1750 (85 oz) at £2,150. A George IV circular teapot, London 1827, sold for £240 with a Nathaniel Mills ,Birmingham 1832 pendant vinaigrette making £160.An impressive Victorian baluster beer jug made by Robert Hennell, London 1855 (49 oz) sold at £2,000. The jug had been awarded for the best Hereford beast at the Smithfield show in 1883.

Full details can be found here.