Something of a crossover attraction of the two fields was a green Moroccan leather travelling case stamped Tiffany & Co New York. The fitted interior comprising toilet water bottles and powder containers, a brush set, travelling clock, manicure set and a writing folder marked Tiffany & Co Maker’s Sterling Silver 925-1000C 1310.
Carrying hopes of up to £1500, the intrinsic appeal of the case and the magic of the Tiffany name took it to £2000.
Much more of surprise was the reaction to an Italian gilt metal trinket box among the collectables. With a micromosaic Pliny’s Doves decoration to the top and plique à jour enamel decoration to the body, it was offered with a micromosaic brooch and estimated at £80-120.
Micromosaic work is rather more in demand than the estimate suggested and the lot sold at £700.
Best seller of the day was a platinum ring with a central 2ct diamond flanked each side by two baguette-cut diamonds which went a little over top estimate at £3300.
Silver jogged along steadily enough with an 1836, 26oz melon-form coffee pot with flower and leaf finial marked Makepeace London going over hopes at £310 and a 19oz ovoid teapot, Sheffield 1850, with acorn finial and cast and chased rococo-style decoration making a mid-estimate £270.
Best of the small furniture section was an Edwardian mahogany Art Nouveau display cabinet. With a pierced frieze over a lead glazed door and mirror back to the upper section and double lead glazed doors flanked by shaped glass panel doors below, it went on its low £1500 estimate.
Ambrose, Loughton, May 17-18
Buyer’s premium: 12.5 per cent
Tiffany name works its magic as travelling case makes £2000
WITH little in the way of furniture at this 1000-lot Essex sale at Ambrose on 17-18 May it was left to jewellery to provide the higher prices and collectors’ items to provide the wider interest.
