Here, Chris Kirkham, associate director of Hansons London, highlights star lots in Hansons London’s February 11 auction.
Hansons London excited bidders with a wide range of treasures unearthed from homes across the city.
A wonderful jade pendant set attracted significant interest from its homeland in China and doubled its pre-sale estimate, selling for £1,300.
The demand for Chinese items in particular shows no signs of abating. A London couple were amazed to see a Chinese lacquer box sail away to £500 against a pre-sale estimate of £80-£120.
Hansons London is always proud to bring unusual objects to the market and a collection of guns and keys raised huge international interest with a key once used in the Tower of London securing an international buyer at five times its pre-sale estimate.
Silver is always strong and a large silver tray was eagerly contested to £1,450.
It was a wonderfully rounded sale and we look forward to more discoveries in the weeks to come.
Objects that flew at auction
Lot 1123:
Chinese white metal, jade and diamond pendant and matching drop earrings: This circa 1930s pendant was fashioned from tapering, mottled green jade carved as stylised fruit, mounted to hinged and pierced white metal Chinese character set round cut diamonds. Sold together with the matching earrings. White metal assessed as 18 carat gold.
Hammer: £1,300
Lot 1003:
Chinese overlaid black and red lacquer box and cover, carved with birds amidst foliage and fruit, 19cm wide, 9cm high
Hammer: £500
Lot 1361:
Large, silver, twin–handled rectangular tray, by Walker & Hall. Assayed Sheffield 1946, having a ribbed rim, shell and scroll corners, twin applied shell and scroll handles with engraved foliate.
Hammer: £1250
Lot 1068:
A collection of thirty 18th century and later keys, including pass key for Tower of London; door key to 162 St Anne’s Road, Tottenham; safe keys and an early 19th century key with a brass terminal numbered 20 and an Italian key.
Hammer: £400
