Features

A British subject born in Rio de Janeiro, Reginald Fairfax Wells (1877-1951) studied sculpture at the South Kensington School of Art in the 1890s and then studio pottery at Camberwell School of Arts and Crafts.

Two sculptures of well-known 20th century British cultural figures drew attention at different regional sales recently.

As part of Henry Aldridge & Son’s auction of Titanic, White Star and Transport Memorabilia on November 19 a group of 21 lots associated with Wild West showman and powered flight pioneer Samuel Franklin Cody (1867-1913) is on offer.

This rare and unusual item is a late Victorian campaign shaving companion.

A rare 16th or 17th century gold ‘toadstone’ ring comes for sale at Sworders in November 23 with expectations of £3000-5000.

This 11oz George III silver goblet by Solomon Hougham, London 1802, is engraved with an inscription that is key to its appeal.

The Woolley & Wallis (25% buyer’s premium) silver department sold a private collection of over 100 vinaigrettes assembled in the 1980s.

The Fine Wristwatches & Pens auction at Chiswick Auctions includes a rare variant of perhaps the most celebrated of all Rolex ‘tool’ watches: a 1970s Submariner with the so-called ‘single red’ Mark IV dial.

A silver sale at East Bristol Auctions (19% buyer’s premium) included this Wiener Werkstätte twin section bon bon dish with two glass inserts to a design by Josef Hoffmann.

Full-blown repoussé ornamentation defined Baltimore silver in the antebellum period.

The auction at Roseberys London on November 17 includes, estimated at £600-1000, this Victorian silver trophy made by Edward Ker Reid (London, 1864).

The sale of maritime antiques at Charles Miller (24% buyer’s premium) in London on November 1 included a number of silver boating trophies from the Royal Naval Club & Royal Albert Yacht Club, Portsmouth – most of them well received by the collecting audience.

Dreweatts’ November 23 sale includes jewels from the collection of Renée Louise Marie de Rothschild (1927-2015).

A look at upcoming jewellery auction lots

Era of pop art and protests also brought fresh design beyond the earlier ‘tool’ template

This fine First World War silver presentation model of the Vickers FB5 or Gunbus was made by Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Company (London 1916).

The most famous firm of the many silversmiths in the German city of Hanau in the late 19th century was Neresheimer & Söhne.

Queen Victoria gave many gifts to family, friends and servants, often commemorating notable events in her life.

This Tiffany Aesthetic movement silver-gilt pepperette is engraved with the presentation inscription Given by TRH Prince & Princess of Wales, Xmas 1879.

Irish Georgian silver made outside Dublin and Cork comes with significant rarity value