A sparkling summer sale draws near at Hansons’ Oxfordshire saleroom with a trove of fine jewels and silver going under the hammer in June.
Hansons Holloway’s Ross, in Parsons Street, Banbury, is inviting entries for the Great Oxfordshire Jewellery, Watches and Silver sale on Friday, June 9.
The sale will include fine pieces of Italian jewellery and silver from the estate of an elegant lady ex-pat, early Georgian spoons, a strand of certified natural pearls and an 18ct gold gentlemen’s Rolex watch.
Mel Lee-Patrick FGA DGA, jewellery lead for Holloway’s, said: “We have had some fabulous pieces come into the saleroom in the last few weeks and I am really looking forward to sharing them with buyers in Oxfordshire and further afield. This collection offers a great sale for anyone looking to achieve best prices for their pieces of unwanted jewellery and silver at auction.”
Among items on offer is a rare enamelled brooch by legendary Art Nouveau jewellers Child & Child. In less than 40 years the company, noted for their stunning enamel work and beautiful Art Nouveau designs, became the gem of late Victorian and Edwardian society with huge acclaim and royal patronage.
From opening the doors of their first store in Seville Street, Knightsbridge, in 1880, they cemented their place in jewellery history before closing in 1916.
Mel, above, said: “This brooch is a small but perfectly formed piece, featuring enamel on gilded silver and studded with diamonds and fitted into its glorious tiny Child & Child case.
“The brooch is also more than a rarity – it poses a tantalising conundrum as to its story. The piece features a crowned heart in red and white enamel, emblazoned with the initials ‘F D’, resting upon a blue guilloche enamel anchor.”
The obvious impression we could form for this piece was that it was some sort of naval sweetheart brooch, but this design really speaks to the sentimental codes used by particularly the Victorians who commonly used the anchor as a symbol for hope.
“For me the biggest mystery is the names behind the initials – who were they and what did this little brooch really mean?”
The brooch, valued between £400 and £600, will be offered in the June 9 sale.
The deadline for auction entries is Friday May 19. To arrange a free valuation or to discuss a potential consignment, please contact Mel via email on [email protected]
