Clocks, Watches & Jewellery

Anita (1930-2015) and Irvin Garfield Schorsch (1927-2014) were not typical Americana collectors.

Mark Jarrold of Vavasseur discusses the appeal of barometers, the need for new fairs and his love of strong coffee.

A round-up of recent auction highlights from Anglo-Saxon treasure to a magnificent man in his flying machine.

In May 1789, as the political and financial situation in France grew ever bleaker, Louis XVI was forced to summon the three estates – the clergy, nobility and commoners – who had the power to levy taxes and implement reform.

A selection of stand-out lots from auctions in west London, Mayfair and Gloucestershire.

Twelve items of jewellery belonging to Lady Ottoline Morrell (1873-1938) – the woman who inspired the DH Lawrence character Lady Chatterley – contributed more than £15,000 to the sale conducted by Woolley & Wallis on October 26.

Mallams in Oxford posted a house record for jewellery on November 15 when a pair of Cartier earrings sold to one of 12 international phone bidders for £72,000 (plus premium).

The first Rolex Submariner was introduced to the public in 1954 at the Basel Watch Fair but it was Ian Fleming’s fictional spy, James Bond, who in 1962 transformed a reliable and rugged dive watch to a status symbol embodying suave masculinity and a sense of adventure.

“No one can rival Thomas Cole for engraving in the 19th century,” said director Jamie South after this exhibition-quality carriage clock sold for £26,000 (plus 20% premium) at Gardiner Houlgate in Horsham, Bath, on October 25. It went to an American buyer towards the top end of the estimate.

A heartbreaking letter dated March 1916 enclosing a diamond ring found by a dealer in a Victorian chest of drawers he bought at a recent IACF Shepton Mallet fair has sparked an intriguing search.

Cornelia Perquin of Precious Flora deals in floral vintage and antique jewellery. She stands at art and antique shows as well as floral events. Her next event is the 'Winter Art & Antiques Fair Olympia'.

In fine art, the ‘Glasgow Boys’ group of artists are famed. In the contemporary jewellery scene, the ‘Glasgow Gals’ are now in the spotlight.