A diamond brooch given to a maid of honour who served Queen Victoria delivered a grand result at auction in Oxfordshire.
The brooch, which featured an image of the young queen, sold for £1,100. It was part of a private consignment of jewels which had lain in a simple leather case for decades.
Jasper Marsh, senior auctioneer and valuer at Hanson Holloway’s Ross in Banbury, where the item sold, said: “The jewellery was offered for sale because the vendor, who is sadly now in ill health, wanted to ensure they were enjoyed by others. She attended the auction in person to watch the pieces find new homes.”
All types of diamond jewellery proved popular with bidders in the firm’s December sale and lot 1, a three-stone old European cut diamond dress ring, soared to £2,400, well above its top estimate of £1,500.
Other highlights included two 19th century, 18ct gold half hunting, cased gentlemen’s pocket watches. Lot 2, by J A and N P Ltd, Regent Street, London, made £1,150 from a £600-£800 estimate. In similar vein, lot 17, by J W Benson, Old Bond Street, London, achieved £1,100 from an estimate of £700.
In the silver section lot 109 shone bright. An inscribed Thomas Bradbury and Sons Elizabeth II silver tray reached £1,600 – double its £800-£1,000 estimate.
Chinese buyers were as eager as ever and a robust offering of Oriental porcelain saw several items sell well above estimate. For example, lot 158, a 19th century famille rose vase plus a small carp-decorated pot and famille rose tea bowl achieved £900 from a £60-£80 estimate.
In addition, lot 163, a blue and white Kangxi bowl, reached £1,000 and lot 157, a small sang de boeuf bottle vase made £600,double its £200-£300 guide.
The stand-out performer in the pictures section was lot 240, a small 17th Century Italian figural study. Although not uncommon to find works of the period, this oil was executed on an alabaster panel, making it all the more desirable. The gavel fell at £1,100.
Coco de Mer (Lodoicea maldivica) ornaments, made from the native palm of the Seychelles Islands, are popular with interior designers and collectors of natural history, and lot 278, a nicely polished large example, found a new home at £400.
Clocks ticked along nicely, too, and three in particular struck the attention of buyers. Lot 395, an oyster veneer longcase with a five-pillar London movement, made £1,100. In addition, a William Hill regulator bought £1,300 and a Whitehurst 30-hour longcase achieved £1,100.
Though temperatures have plummeted across the UK, two lots of garden statuary weren’t left out in the cold. Lot 409, a 19th century cast lead garden statuette, modelled as a faun-type creature with arms aloft on a square plinth, reached £1,900. Bidders also liked, lot 410, a 19th century lead garden statuette, modelled as the Discobolus of Myron. It was contested to £1,250.
Charles and Ray Eames’ lounge furniture can cost a small fortune at auction, so when good replicas come to the market buyers are keen. Lot 414, a rosewood veneer shell and button black hide upholstered lounge chair and ottoman, will ensure the winning bidder will have a comfortable Christmas at £520.
All items sold on Dec 9, 2022 at Hanson Holloway’s Ross.
Entries are invited for monthly sales at the firm’s Oxfordshire saleroom in Banbury. To find out more, book a free valuation or home visit, call 01295 817777 or email: [email protected]
