With their most recent quarterly specialist Jewellery & Watches, Silver & Gold Sale, Batemans of Stamford resembled a treasure chest with all things sparkly on view and under the hammer last week. Drawing the attention of private and trade buyers were some high quality diamonds, including this stunning three stone ring, the central stone of approximately one and a half carats, and of lovely colour and clarity, the ring had some fierce bidding and finally sold on the phone to a very pleased lady bidder for over three times its lower estimate of £2,000 for £7,440 (including buyer’s premium).
With a combined weight of approximately five carats, this diamond tennis bracelet with unusual collet setting sold well and within estimate at £3,000 (including buyer’s premium), whilst this pretty Art Deco ring set with a diamond of approximately 1.4ct sold well over its sensible estimate at £2,880 (including buyer’s premium).
Elsewhere in the Jewellery section of the sale unusual and older jewellery seems to be making something of an impact with this stunning Regency riviere necklace and matching earrings selling for an impressive £2,640 (including buyer’s premium), against an estimate of just £800 - £1,200 and this mid-19th century mourning brooch more than doubled its estimate of £250-£350 selling for £840 (including buyer’s premium).
Amongst the sale opening section of silver there was a curiously ornithological characteristic at large. This wonderfully emotive early Victorian silver mustard pot by Thomas & George Fox, modelled as a Little Owl with a mouse in its beak in the form of the spoon finial, sold extremely well with a great deal of pre-sale interest, making well over its estimate of £500-£800 and selling for £2,160 (including buyer’s premium)
and this decorative ruby red glass claret jug with silver and plated mounts modelled as a cockatoo, sold for over five times its estimate at £660 (inc 20% BP).
Victorian flamboyance was reflected elsewhere in the silver too, with this stunning Mughal style tea-set by London makers Holland, Aldwinckle & Slater selling within a strong estimate for £1,440 (including buyer’s premium).
Watches are always an interesting and buoyant part of this sale, and good quality watches continue to be a solid investment. The 28-lot Watches section was a complete sell out, testament to consistently detailed descriptions, sensible estimates and multiple high quality images, giving real confidence to prospective bidders – Batemans has continually offered a good range of vintage watches and have a good history of selling them very effectively. We are always keen to consign all kinds of wristwatches and pocket watches.
With a very good variety of quality vintage watches having been consigned with Omega represented especially the section, collectively estimated at £4,730-£7,180, sold over estimates for a combined £7,503 hammer, or £9,003 (including buyer’s premium); another excellent result for this strong section. Topping the section was this ‘Best’ English Lever, key wind open faced 18ct gold pocket watch dating from the early 20th century sold well over its conservative estimate of £500-£800 for £1,680 (including buyer’s premium) much to do with its gold content but reassuring nonetheless.
A glorious Art Deco lady’s wristwatch was a Valuer’s favourite, being made by IWC for Tiffany & Co. and with a 18ct white gold case, it sold well if not spectacularly for £552 (including buyer’s premium) against £300 - £500.
Batemans next Fine Jewellery, Watches, Silver and Gold sale will be in February 2020, and already consigned are several high quality diamond rings, collectable silver, and vintage watches.
