It’s almost Christmas, it’s frantic, the pressure’s on, but if you’re still searching for the ultimate gift to impress the love of your life there is hope – especially if she’s a lady who loves diamonds, writes Charles Hanson.
One of the most stunning collections of jewellery I have ever seen is coming up for auction tomorrow (Dec 18) as our Christmas Fine Art Auction gets under way at Bishton Hall in neighbouring Staffordshire.
Plus, we have a stunning array of silver, watches, connoisseur ceramics, glass, works of art, clocks and more.
Our fine art auctions bring together the very best items that come through our door from top designers and makes. Think Rolex, Liberty, Wedgwood and more.
To give you some idea of how special these objects are, I’ve been contacted by the editor of the standard work on Archibald Knox. He wanted to include an item in our sale in the second edition of this publication.
He’d spotted lot 194, an Archibald Knox for Liberty & Co of London silver and enamel cigarette case, the cover chased with typical Art Nouveau pattern, dated 1904, estimate £2,000-£3,000. That may seem expensive but important historical objects are destined to grow in value. Many people buy antiques as an investment.
The gentleman, an authority on Knox, had never seen the item before and was excited to include it in the book.
This is why I love the world of antiques. Important items crop up time and time again that take us – and the world – by surprise. You may have seen our story about a Willington car boot sale pottery find that turned out to be 4,000 years old. That story has gone global putting Derbyshire on the map in America, Russia, Spain, Germany and France.
Have you got something tucked away at home that could make waves? We’re inviting entries for our Spring Fine Art Auction and, to give you a flavour of what we’re looking for, I’ll highlight some objects due to go under the gavel this week.
For example, we have an Art Deco diamond and platinum brooch (lot 7) with a total diamond weight of 10cts. Estimate £5,000-£7,000.
Causing brooch envy on social media is a sparkling Victorian diamond star brooch/pendant (lot 31) which has a total diamond weight of 3cts. Estimate £2,000-£3,000.
Then there’s lot 684, a Victorian Reformed Gothic oak sideboard in the manner of Charles Bevan, circa 1870. Estimate £1000-£1500.00
I love lot 276, a pair of 19th Century Sevres vases and covers, painted with scenes of courting couples on one side and landscapes on the reverse. Estimate £1,200-£1,800.
An important piece amid two splendid collections of Wedgwood up for auction is lot 321, a limited-edition black basalt figure entitled ‘Newton, Man and Science’ Master of the Universe, taken from an original bronze sculpture by Sir Eduardo Paolozzi, produced in 1997. Estimate £3,000-£4,000.
And I can’t forget lot 532, a wonderful snowy landscape painting by Brian Shields, known as Liverpool’s Lowry. Estimate £9,000-£12,000.
Hansons Christmas Fine Art Auction runs from December 18-20 at Bishton Hall, Wolseley Bridge, Staffordshire, ST17 0XN. Viewing today (Dec 17) from 11am-7pm. Entries invited for our Spring Fine Art Auction. Email [email protected] or call 01283 733988.
