Cheffins jewellery, silver and watches sale on 21st November sees over 350 lots going under the hammer, with unique pieces including a Kashmir sapphire and diamond ring and an 18ct gold hunter pocket watch possibly gifted by Prince Albert.
05/11/2024 Jewellery, Jewellery & Watches - Interiors
The stunning Kashmir sapphire ring (Lot 171, pictured below) is accompanied by a report from Gübelin, dated 14th October 2024, stating the weight of the sapphire to be 5.79ct (weighed), origin Kashmir, with no indication of heating, and has a catalogue estimate of £40,000-£60,000.
Other jewellery highlights include a diamond set collarette style necklace estimated at £10,000-£15,000 (lot 169), and a Georgian topaz and pearl necklace/bracelet circa 1820 (lot 115), consisting of a graduated cannetille centrepiece and a detachable three row belcher style chain which forms a bracelet.
Brooches continue to be on trend and a timeless example in the sale is lot 160, a diamond set double clip of pierced ribbon design which is estimated at £4,000-£6,000. Meanwhile, the fancy-coloured diamond market is still strong, and in this sale there is a stunning pair of vivid yellow diamond ear pendants, accompanied with GIA reports (lot 170, estimate £20,000-£25,000 - pictured below) which are likely to attract attention.
Watches in the sale include an historic Aubert & Klaftenberger 18ct gold hunter pocket watch (lot 185, pictured below), probably gifted from Prince Albert. The London-based company was held in high esteem by both Queen Victoria and the Prince as the supplier of watches and clocks, many of which were presented as gifts. This example is engraved with a Royal crown above the word ALBERT and the date 1861.
Additional watch highlights in the sale include a steel 'Oyster Perpetual Submariner 40' Rolex wristwatch (lot 221), estimate £5,000-£7,000, and a Vacheron Constantin 18ct gold wristwatch (lot 223), estimated at £1,500-£2,500, together with examples for Omega, Cartier, Longines and Jaeger LeCoultre.
Elsewhere in the sale is a 19th century combined desk and swivel seal (lot 197, pictured below), probably the original property of John Ashbury (1806-1866), founder of the Ashbury Carriage and Iron Company Ltd. The Manchester based company was hugely successful during the industrial revolution, winning contracts from all over the world, and making Ashbury an extraordinarily wealthy man. This fabulous 18ct gold example has an estimate of £1000-£1500.
Silverware in the sale includes an impressive 128-piece set of early 20th century French silver cutlery (lot 279, estimate £5,000-£7,000) with the mark of Keller Frères. Founded by Gustave Keller in 1856, his collections became well known for their fine quality, winning both gold and silver medals at the Paris World Exhibitions. In 1889, renowned French jeweller Lucien Falize wrote that "Everything stamped Keller is good".
Other silverware highlights include a fine quality Scottish silver Victorian centrepiece (lot 356) with the mark of Mackay, Cunningham & Company and two pairs of Elizabeth II silver tea light holders (lot 345), with the mark of Christopher Nigel Lawrence.
Steven Collins, Head of jewellery, silver and watches at Cheffins, comments: “This sale comprises some particularly special pieces, and we anticipate a busy auction from both in-room and online bidders wishing to secure distinctive collectors’ items.”
Click here to view the catalogue.