As the British summer lurches from heatwaves to showers and back again, it’s reassuring to know that some things remain predictable at this time of year, including the strength of the jewellery section at Trevanion Auctioneers’ summer auction.
Star lot of the two day July auction was an early 20th century diamond three stone ring, which featured a central old cut diamond with smaller old cut diamonds to each side. ‘The diamonds in this ring were bright, lively and well matched in colour, and looked glorious set in their white metal coronet style mount,’ notes jewellery valuer Amelia Tomkinson. The ring proved to be much sought after, eventually selling after a protracted bidding battle for £3700 plus fees.
Of course jewellery doesn’t have to be set with stones to be sought after, a point well proved when two gold watch chains were offered for sale. The first, an early 20th century curb link example, was stamped as 15 carat gold – an unusual type of gold which was phased out in 1932. This undoubtedly helped the chain sail past its estimate to a hammer price of £2400 plus fees. It was followed by an early 20th century yellow metal mariner link watch chain, another unusual chain whose link design has nautical origins and is much prized for its strength. ‘It was probably the strength of the link design which allowed this chain to be made from 18 carat gold,’ comments Amelia. ‘Usually chains like this are made from 9 carat gold which is harder wearing and stronger. Because this example was 18 carat, it had a beautiful rich colour which looked fabulous when it was worn as a necklace.’ The chain sold for £1700 plus fees.
It wasn’t just gold which performed well on day one of the auction – silver achieved some great results too, with an Elizabeth II (1952-2022) ‘A Thousand Years Of The British Monarchy’ cased set of fifty silver ingots made by John Pinches of London in 1975 selling for an impressive £2100 plus fees, while a George III silver tray by J E Terrey & Co of London made in 1816 made £1580 plus fees.
Last to go under the hammer on day one was fine art. Leading the way was an oil on canvas by Irish artist Noreen Rice (1936-2015). Titled ‘Padraig’, the unusual composition featured ethereal figures and horses in a striking colour palette. ‘Noreen Rice was a Belfast-born artist who created her own fantasy world in her work,’ notes art valuer Simon Grover. ‘Her pictures often feature animals and can tend towards the abstract, but this was one of her more figurative pieces’. The painting sold to an Irish buyer for £1400 plus fees. Also selling strongly was a small oil on panel by William Benjamin Chamberlin (1858-1937) depicting the Taj Mahal, which made £1300 plus fees.
Furniture took centre stage on day two of the auction, and bidders were particularly taken with a large Victorian pine housekeepers’ cupboard. ‘This piece was quite unusual because the top section of the cupboard featured an arrangement of sliding doors,’ points out furniture valuer Ian Woodward. ‘This meant that despite its size, it could work in a relatively small space, which increased its appeal to potential buyers.’ As a result, the cupboard flew past its estimate, eventually selling for £2000 plus fees.
Also causing a stir was a George III Chippendale style serpentine mahogany chest of drawers in the manner of William Gomm. ‘Gomm was a contemporary of Thomas Chippendale, but his work was under-appreciated at the time,’ says Ian. ‘Modern buyers are now showing an interest in his pieces because of their clean lines and understated elegance’. The chest of drawers sold for £1700 plus fees, and was followed by an 18th century Italian fruitwood and parquetry commode chest, which made £1400 plus fees.
Managing partner Christina Trevanion was delighted with the results achieved in the July auction. ‘People often think that July is a bit of a dead month in the antiques world, but our July sales prove quite the reverse,’ she said after the auction. ‘There was a great atmosphere in the saleroom and some fierce bidding in the room and online, generating some great results!’
Trevanion Auctioneers will hold their next auction on 3rd September. The deadline for entries is 14th August. To book a valuation appointment, please call 01948 800202.
