Jewellery

During renovations of St George’s Chapel, Windsor, in 1789, the tomb of the War of the Roses monarch Edward IV (1442-83) was rediscovered and his coffin accidentally opened while being moved.

The Summer Sale at Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood in Exeter on July 13-15 includes this mid-Victorian colour change sapphire and rose-cut diamond pendant.

Dreweatts offers a private collection of work by Gerald Benney, perhaps the key figure in the revival of British silversmithing in post-war Britain.

The Fine Jewellery auction at Fellows on August 4 includes a gold George III mourning ring.

Platinum jubilee excitement combined with an emotive back story and a royal connection to create the perfect conditions to sell an Elizabeth II brooch

Tennants’ Fine Jewellery, Watches and Silver sale in Leyburn, North Yorkshire, on July 16 numbers 120 lots.

Diamond tiaras continue to enjoy a steady revival in demand, particularly in states where a diamond fascinator is once again de rigueur at formal and informal high-society events.

Catherine Southon’s (24% buyer’s premium) 10th anniversary auction included a new house record of £47,000 for an early Victorian diamond rivière.

This 19th century, c.1850, archaeological revivalist 22ct gold necklace by Carlo Civilotti of the Civilotti family of jewellers in Rome will feature in Thomaston Place Auction Galleries’ wide-ranging three-day auction taking place in Maine on July 8-10

A look ahead to auction house and dealer highlights this summer.

The sale at jewellery auction house Elmwood’s (25% buyer’s premium) in London on May 19 included a remarkable family archive of antique items.

Sotheby’s is holding a month-long programme of exhibitions and events to mark the platinum jubilee.

A presentation diamond brooch given by Queen Elizabeth II to the Duchess of Norfolk for assistance prior to her coronation in 1953 is to be offered by Mayfair auction house Noonans on June 14, estimated at £4000-6000.

This Georgian enamel and rock crystal mourning ring was formerly owned by Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon.

The Marine Sale at Bonhams (27.5/25/20/14.5% buyer’s premium) included a very rare gold and enamel ring marking the death of Admiral Lord Nelson in 1805.

The Islamic and Indian Art sale at Bonhams (27.5/25/20/14.5% buyer’s premium) on March 29 was topped by a diamond and emerald set gold pendant from the collection of Maharani Jindan Kaur (1817-63).

The story of the Poniatowski gems provided one of the great art scandals of its day.

Toadstones are understood to be the button-like palatal teeth of lepidotes, an extinct genus of ray finned fish from the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.