Diamonds proved as solid sellers as ever and a three-stone diamond set ring provided the day’s top price. The central stone, which weighed 1.5 carats, was flanked by two 0.5ct stones, all were claw set on a yellow gold shank and attracted a specialist dealer on the telephone who took the ring at a top-estimate £3000. Another claw set diamond ring with a 1.25ct solitaire cushion cut stone also sold on the top estimate £1800, went to a Torquay private bidder.
The interest shown by the trade mechanical music items surfaced when a mid-19th century Nicole Frères cylinder pianoforte musical box was offered. The box, 2ft (61cm) had a marquetry inlaid rosewood grained lid and the instrument, a 17in (43cm) cylinder No. 27,470 which played on two combs was in good working order with no broken or replacement teeth. A local collector beat all comers, including the underbidder phoning from Lancashire, with a bid of £2200.
Evidence of the widespread following of Clarice Cliff came when a Newport pottery pencil holder of a 7in (18cm) high golly in an orange jacket and red striped trousers went to a Sussex collector at £2100 – underbid by a specialist Australian dealer.
Michael J. Bowman, Newton Abbot, July 7
Buyer’s premium: 10 per cent
Even in a cautious climate, diamonds are forever…
UK: Good stock furniture usually provides the highlights at these Michael J. Bowman Devon rooms but there was little of real quality among the 511 lots in July and, reflecting current caution among trade buyers, it was left to classics in other sections to produce the better results.
