Jewellery

Appeal of Weston Hall contents particularly enhanced by 20th century occupants

This classic example of the archaeological revivalist techniques that were so fashionable in jewellery making in the second half of the 19th century was one of the top-selling lots at Skinner (25/20/12% buyer’s premium).

Few lots in the Design since 1860 sale held by Lyon & Turnbull in Edinburgh were more admired than a series of Art Nouveau pencil and watercolour jewellery drawings by Frances Macdonald McNair (1873-1921).

In a recent Financial Times article titled 'Dangerous baubles for boys', historian and style journalist Nick Foulkes commented that a friend had “described my hands as looking like a cabinet of curiosities trying to emulate a pair of knuckledusters”.

London’s historic diamond and jewellery quarter faces challenges but also opportunities

The V&A loses out in £23,000 bidding battle for Prince Albert’s drawings of the diamond and sapphire coronet he designed for Queen Victoria.

Many sales in late November and early December are assembled with presents in mind and silver and jewellery are much to the fore.

After two years of Covid-19 disruption The Winter Art & Antiques Fair at Olympia finally reopened its doors in west London.

Naturally inspired creations underline the renowned designer’s range of talents

Gold and enamel mourning rings remembered at Birmingham auction.

This Indian gold necklace with a fringe of ruby and imitation pearl drops and flowerheads of green paste and moonstone has a guide of £1800-2400 at Bonhams’ sale of Islamic and Indian art on October 25.

Asian antique jewellery specialist Sue Ollemans offers this Indian pair of early 19th century earrings made in Lucknow.

After settling in to its new showroom in the West End, Koopman Rare Art has expanded its jewellery department.

Fellows’ Fine Jewellery sale in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter on September 30 includes an extraordinary collection of 63 mourning rings.

A recent sale at Wotton Auction Rooms (21.6% buyer’s premium) in Wotton-Under-Edge included this set of three yellow metal fobs set with carnelian intaglios.

The so-called Irish Crown Jewels or State Jewels of Ireland, were created in 1831 for the Sovereign and Grand Master of the Order of St Patrick. The order was established as an Irish equivalent of the English order of the Garter and the Scottish Order of the Thistle.

It is difficult to replicate the occasion of a royal themed auction. Ergo not everything that resurfaces on the market from the fabled ‘Princess Margaret’ sale at Christie’s in June 2006 shows a great appreciation in value.

Combining technical mastery with recurring motifs derived from nature, Pierre Sterlé’s (1905-1978) style is instantly recognisable.

His daring organic sculptural designs re-energised the British jewellery scene in post-war Britain, now Andrew Grima’s (1921-2007) creations are leading the revival of ‘60s and ‘70s designer jewellery on the secondary market.

By the mid-20th century several design houses were taking a more playful approach to zoomorphic jewellery.