Jewellery

Metal detectorist’s discovery linked to flamboyant earl who was a favourite of Elizabeth I

This copper alloy and champleve enamel brooch would once have graced the chariot of an Iron Age chieftain.

Thousands of items are available to buy from dealers online. Here we pick out one that caught our eye this week.

A 350-lot sale of items from the collection of Lady Mountbatten including jewellery, furniture, paintings, sculptures, books, silver and ceramics will be offered at Sotheby’s on March 24.

Cortrie in Hamburg is holding an auction of watches and vintage timepieces on February 13.

A selection of period and vintage jewellery lots for sale in January, February and March.

Covid-19 has played havoc with the jewellery fairs and auction calendar but it has done little to dull the appetite for quality antique and vintage pieces.

Thousands of items are available to buy from dealers online. Here we pick out one that caught our eye this week.

A notable source of ancient coins and historical jewellery appearing on the market in 2020 has been the soil. It is the success of the Portable Antiquities Scheme that finders of ‘treasure’ are now encouraged to declare discoveries and share the proceeds of sales with the landowner.

The highlight of a sale of jewellery and silver at Peschetau Badin (27% buyer’s premium) on December 1- 2 in Paris was this gold ‘four dragonflies’ brooch by René Lalique.

Gifts from Queen Victoria to two of her god-daughters garnered international attention at Cheffins (22.5% buyer’s premium) in Cambridge.

Exceptional examples of the glyphic arts – the apotheosis of jewellery collecting during the Grand Tour era – are rising high in the saleroom once more.

Two private collections of the work of John Donald (b.1928) enjoyed a clean sweep at auctions in recent weeks.

The economic crisis of the Great Depression inspired a vogue for many versatile jewels, particularly clip brooches that could be worn on lapels, hat trims and the latest hairstyles.

The distinctive Antipodean ‘botanical’ jewellery of the gold rush era is among the first to depict the native flora and fauna. It is of huge cultural significance to Australia and its mining heritage.

This curious object is the forerunner of a million Christmas cracker prizes. Made in gold and silver, c.1830, the ‘ring’ chased with flowers includes a tiny pin hole which allows a jet of water to be squirted into the face of an unsuspecting admirer via a syringe-like plunger that can be concealed in the palm.

Forget the high street or ‘not-on-the-high street’ – for those looking for an original gift, a carefully chosen antique will never disappoint. Many upcoming UK auctions of silver and jewellery are assembled with the season of gift-giving in mind. Here ATG provides a selection of ‘more affordable’ and portable items, all for sale this month

It is with great sadness that we break the news of the passing of Moira Cohen on September 20.

Gold pin awarded to Second World War Polish pilot later executed after the Great Escape