Jewellery, Silver, Watches and Coins Auction Highlights
The Christmas Jewellery, Silver and Watches auction was another extremely popular event at Wessex Auction Rooms. The room was filled with sparkles from the diamonds, gemstones, reflective silver, glistening watch faces and dazzling gold.
One of the top selling lots was a very rare Berlin Ironwork necklace. “I’ve only ever seen Berlin Ironwork in museums and read about it in books” notes Izzie Balmer FGA DGA, Auctioneer and Head of the Jewellery and Silver Department. “The necklace was exquisite – the quality and the detail far superior to anything I’ve come across in museums, including the V&A and the combination of the ironwork with the gold incredibly unusual. And the cherry on the cake? I discovered the necklace in box of mixed costume jewellery, entangled amongst the necklaces and earrings.” Berlin Ironwork has a rich history closely linked to the early 19th century and Prussian patriotism. It became a symbol of Prussian resistance to Napolean. During the Prussian War of Liberation fought from 1813-15 women donated their gold jewellery to the cause and their country in exchange for iron. Following these years of unrest, iron jewellery because hugely popular across Europe and America. With the original two royal factories founded in 1798 and 1804, by the 1830s Berlin alone had 27 factories producing iron jewellery. The original neo-classical designs as we popular during the early 19th century were replace with Gothic motifs as the fashions across Europe evolved. The necklace on offer at Wessex Auction Rooms was formed of graduated openwork panels depicting classical cherub and maiden scene, animals, and roses, with the spacers cast as Ouroborus, the clasp modelled as a gargoyle with each panel created from iron with gold highlights and surrounds. There was intense bidding from the room and the internet with the room bidder sealing the deal at £2,200.
It's well-known that gents’ wristwatches have huge collectability but there is also a growing market for ladies’ wristwatches and for this auction it was the ladies watches providing the high-hitters and leading the section. The ever timeless (excuse the pun!) ladies Rolex Oyster Perpetual in 18ct yellow gold watch continues to fetch four-figure sums at auction. The third to be sold at Wessex Auction Rooms within three months, there were two in the same auction. Both without box and papers one displayed a date aperture and Jubilee strap selling handsomely at £2,200. The second was without the date aperture, had a textured case and texture president bracelet strap. In a more used condition this example sold for £1,700. A ladies Jean D’Evre diamond 18ct gold wristwatch saw some fierce bidding. The white face displayed three subsidiary dials and a crescent dial, with forty-two round brilliant cut dials set to the bezel. It sold for £1,600.
“Whilst not the highest lot of the day, one of my favourite lots was a pair of 18th century Iberian black dot paste drop earrings with later screw-back ear fittings” comments Izzie. “I adore all 18th century jewellery; I get such a thrill when I come across it because there’s simply not that much of it about. Most 18th century jewellery set in gold or silver with gemstones was refashioned into trendier jewellery prior to the discovery of the gold and gemstone mines in the 19th century. Paste jewellery is possibly even rarer because so often the paste has not withstood the test of time and over 200 years wear and tear.” Georgian and 19th century jewellery is exceedingly popular, with Iberian jewellery being a step above. This pair of paste chandelier earrings in the distinctive Iberian style flew to £650, despite the replacement ear fittings.
Not to be outdone, a French silver canteen of cutlery for twelve place settings sold for £2,600. Canteens of silver are one of those items that tend to be divided down the years between family members, so to find a complete set is relatively unusual. The absence of engraved family initials added to its desirability; so often flatware is found with monograms to the finials. As an expensive commodity it was only natural to proudly display your family name or crest on your flatware for your guests to observe.
An exquisitely detailed pair of silver figurines modelled as Arthur King of England and Theodoric King of the Ostrogoths, both in full armour flew to £1,600. They are copies of the full-scale bronze statues from the tomb of Emperor Maximillian I. They would have formed part of a set of four smaller silver copies, made in Hanau Germany with London import marks for 1920.
Waltham has always been a popular and reliable name amongst pocket watch collectors and, in the run-up to Christmas, pocket watches always sell well. A 9ct yellow gold Waltham full hunter pocket watch with Albert chain and fob was no exception selling for £1,200.
Entries are being consigned for the forthcoming Jewellery, Silver, Watches and Pocket Watches auction at Wessex Auction Rooms. Email izzie@wessexauctionrooms.co.uk or call the office on 01249 720888 for more information or a free valuation.