The 319 lots included another slice of the Englefield vinaigrette collection, a private collection of fob seals, various assorted silver and gold boxes and just over 60 lots of
miniatures.
Demand appeared to be as firm at this end as it was for the more expensive pieces, with 88 per cent of the lots changing hands for a total of just over £200,000. The most expensive lot at £4800 was this 19th century Japanese ivory card case, right, inlaid in Shibayama style with floral and avian decoration, but there were also plenty of opportunities for purchases in the three-figure price bracket, like this early 19th century English gold fob seal, below right, from the single-owner collection with a handle formed as two coiled snakes set with a crystal matrix with engraved crest, that went for £280.
Cheaper items have their day too
On the same day that Christie’s King Street rooms were offering pieces from the upper-crust end of the portrait miniatures and vertu market, their South Kensington (17/510% buyer’s premium) rooms had a more bread-and-butter selection of the same material.
