Dazzling diamonds, natural pearls, Victorian grandeur and an outstanding suffragette medal are among star lots in Hansons’ June 27-28 Fine Jewellery, Watches and Silver Auction. Here, our jewellery expert Isabel Murtough picks out 15 of her favourite pieces.
Snake With Ruby Glass Eyes – Lot 4
This stunning Victorian turquoise snake brooch is both
quirky and eye-catching. The Victorians loved nature and often reflected this
in their jewellery. The snake’s head, which rests on its tail, features ruby
glass eyes and the whole piece is set with round, cabachon turquoise. Estimate
£70-£100
Art Nouveau Diamonds – Lot 11
This is an exquisite, early 20th century Art Nouveau design diamond drop brooch. Its round, old cut diamond drop weighs 1.50 carats, while the central triangular step-cut diamond drop is 0.60 carat. The small diamonds, grain set to Art Nouveau style curved surrounds, have a combined diamond weight of 3 carats. Silver settings with yellow gold on the reverse. Comes complete with fitted box. Estimate £2,000-£3,000
Victorian Ingenuity – Lot 16
This delightful Victorian, garland-style diamond and natural
pearl drop brooch/pedant is multi-functional. It can be worn as a pendant or
brooch. It hangs from a contemporary pearl-set gold necklace with matching pearl
and diamond cluster fastener. The chain can also be worn on its own, the clasp
being used as the main feature. The round, old-cut diamonds weigh 3.50 carats.
Complete with original fitted box. Estimate £2,500-£3,500
Liberty Loveliness – Lot 39
What an eye-catching beauty. This Liberty & Co opal emerald and seed pearl set fringe necklace, circa 1900, features 11 oval cabachon precious opals shimmering in blue/green and graduating down in size. Pairs of faceted green emeralds alternate between each with small seed pearls and opals above. Complete in original fitted case with printed in gold to the lid: ‘Liberty & Co Ltd, Regent Street, London’. Estimate £6,000-£7,000
Natural pearls – Lot 50a
Natural pearls are always extra special. This natural pearl necklace features graduated pearls on a sapphire and diamond set 18ct gold clasp, oval sapphire to the centre with borders of grain-set diamonds, cream lustre. Estimate £1,200-£1,800
Organic Originality – Lot 52
Want something that will continually turn heads? This 18ct white gold, baroque pearl and diamond set designer ring is highly unusual. The organic design features a wrap-around leaf design setting to host a central baroque pearl inset with a small, round brilliant-cut diamond. Maker mark RL London 1976, ring size N. Estimate £250-£400
Suffragette Hunger Strike Medal – Lot 86
We’re proud to be selling a Suffragette Hunger Medal awarded to Elsie Wolff Van Sandau in 1912. It was presented to her by the Women’s Social and Political Union in recognition of ‘gallant action whereby though endurance to the last extremes of hunger and hardship a great principal of political justice was vindicated’. Complete with original presentation box. Estimate £7,000-£10,000.
Miss Wolff Van Sandau, granddaughter of Dr E Schwabe, private chaplain to the late Duchess of Kent, was arrested after allegedly smashing a window in London’s Covent Garden during the March 4, 1912 campaign. She subsequently went on trial and began a hunger strike. She was also arrested on November 18, 1910 following the infamous ‘Black Friday’ riots, a demonstration by 300 women at Westminster led by political activist Emmeline Pankhurst.
Ravishing Rolex – Lot 194
Rolex watches are always in hot demand and we’re expecting
strong interest in this circa 1996 lady’s 18ct gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual
Datejust wristwatch with diamond set numerals, coronet monogram to the crown
and integral Jubilee bracelet. Model No.69178, Serial No. W687685. Boxed with
guarantee certificate. £4,000-£6,000
1920s timepiece – Lot 183
Roll back the years and we have another Rolex to delight – a rare circa 1927 Rolex, 18ct gold hemetic watch, (aquatic) the pair cased watch with screw outer case, 2cm white enamel dial with subsidiary seconds dial, serial No.21147, tan leather strap. Estimate £3,000-£4,000
Silver Sensation – Lot 408
Sensational silver comes to the fore in our June 27 auction including an early 20th Century Austrian silver six-piece canteen of cutlery, each handle with reeded rim and central ribbon tied motif. The set includes a pair of mustard pots, carving fork, soup ladle and serving spoon. All is encased in a fitted oak canteen with named sections and stamped by retailer Schwarz & Steiner. Estimate £1,000-£1,500
Russian Spoon – Lot 345
Functional beauty shines bright in this early 20th Century Russian silver, cloisonné and plique à jour enamel large serving spoon with a Moscow Second Kokoshnik 1908-26 mark to the reverse base of its bowl. The plique à jour and cloisonné bowl is decorated with a double headed Imperial Eagle, above a twisted stem and cloisonné handle with floral geometric design, 27cm long. Estimate £500-£600
Novelty Hip Flask – Lot 432
Car lovers may like this George V silver novelty hip flask in the form of a lubricant canister, the engine turned body is engraved with a central ‘Shell’ motif plus a lower banner saying ‘Lubricant’. Marked on the side and base by William Base & Son, Birmingham, 1929. Estimate £150-£200
Art Deco Bracelet – Lot 85
Striking is the only word to describe this Art Deco platinum, sapphire and diamond bracelet with its row of three graduated, square-cut sapphires to its centre above a tied bow set with round-cut diamonds and calibre-cut sapphires. There are three tapering, elongated links to the sides set with two rows of round-cut diamonds alternating with links set at right angle featuring pairs of baguette cut sapphires. With Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Company Ltd box. Estimate £2,000-£3,000
Giant Diamond Ring’s Star Quality – Lot 17
This diamond solitaire platinum ring is worthy of a movie star’s finger thanks to its magnificent 8.5 carat diamond displaying high brilliance. It’s hard to source diamonds of this size, which makes it the ultimate diamond to impress. It’s size O and comes with what may seem a high price tag but this is an investment piece with diamonds rising in value. Estimate £25,000-£35,000
Dazzle in triplicate – Lot 26
More affordable but also impressive is this diamond three-stone platinum ring featuring three round, brilliant-cut diamonds. The centre diamond is 2 carats while the two round, brilliant cut diamonds either side weigh a total of 0.80 carat. Ring size O. £7,000-£9,000
Our June 27-28 Fine Jewellery, Watches and Silver Auction will start at 11am each day and will be held at Hansons, Heage Lane, Etwall, Derbyshire, DE65 6LS. The catalogue is due online at www.the-saleroom.com by June 21.
Viewing: Mon 24 June: 11am to 4pm; Wed 26 June: 11am to 7pm; Sale days: 9am until the auctions commence
To enquire about any of the items featured, please email: [email protected] or [email protected]
