May Auction Report

15th May Auction Review

Our May auction was an enormous success, being our third best auction since we opened our doors in 2012. The success was across the board but predominantly in our jewellery section. Antique pieces particularly Georgian were in great demand, but the stunning Edwardian diamond and pearl necklace was one of the period pieces that everyone wanted to buy. This beautiful necklace (see image below) in a delightful, fitted case with a natural pearl drop was initially estimated at £3500-5000. Bidding was strong between the telephones and the internet taking the final hammer price to £7500 (plus buyers premium).

Named pieces of jewellery and watches by makers such as Cartier, Theo Fennell, Garrard, Boucheron, Omega and Rolex saw off some strong bidding and achieved strong prices. A highlight was a ladies Rolex Oyster perpetual datejust wristwatch with diamond markers which sold for £2,800 (plus buyers premium), and another being the green beryl and diamond cradle ring by Theo Fennell which sold for triple the estimate at £3000 (plus buyers premium).

Due to the high price of gold, gold pieces of jewellery are at a premium, and due to the lower buyers premium, we are able to achieve excellent results for our clients. A delightful 18ct gold heart bracelet by Garrard achieved £3,500 (plus buyers premium). Good large single stone diamond rings are still in high demand, we were privileged to handle a super 3ct ring which sold for an incredible £13,000 (plus buyers premium).

As ever our silver section was almost 100% sold. Highlights included a Victorian punch bowl which sold against a pre-sale estimate of £700-900 for £1200, and a charming set of 1970 Stuart Devlin parcel gilt goblets which sold against a pre-sale estimate of £1000-1500 for £2200 (plus buyers premium).

The private collection of silhouettes was a wonderful historical collection which attracted bidding far and wide. The silhouettes which attracted most attention were the ones by John Miers the most prolific painter of silhouettes, he produced thousands of silhouettes many of which were considered to be an excellent likeness. The collection sold for double its low estimate at £7700 (plus buyers premium). One of our favourite lots was William Hamlet the Elder (fl1785-1816) which sold for £600 (plus buyers premium).

The collectables section of the auction got everybody talking. One of the main pieces from this section was a set of advertising proof sample labels which were taken in by our expert Tom Blest at one of our valuation days in Bagham Barns. The collection contained a number of beer labels which were the highlight of the lot. The collection way surpassed all of our expectations and sold for £6,200 (plus buyers premium). Perhaps one of favourite lots of the day and the one that excited worldwide bidders and gained lots of media attention, was the Cartier silver Double Fantasy cigarette box commission by John Lennon and Yoko Ono which sold for £13,000 (plus buyers premium).