Clocks, Watches & Jewellery

A selection of sapphires that drew interest at auction over the last two months

Sapphire mining at the Yogo Gulch in Montana began in 1895 after a cigar box of pale blue gems picked from a creek by a local rancher found its way to Tiffany’s in New York, where an appraiser pronounced them “the finest precious gemstones ever found in the United States”.

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.

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

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

This Victorian snake necklace is one of the best of its kind to appear on the regional market in recent memory.

Stations, signal boxes and offices all depended on accurate timekeepers and just about every Victorian railway company commissioned clocks.

Watches with military associations carry a certain cachet with collectors.

It was second time lucky for a 17th century ring made to commemorate the death of King Charles I.

A rare early 18th century folding table and a William III clock were spotted at recent auctions by a Cambridgeshire dealer.

Maker, movement, case decoration, provenance, rarity and original condition are the factors that combine to create value in the clock market. Here Richard Fox discusses some of the best examples recently sold at auction with the views of specialists at Christie’s, Sotheby’s and Bonhams

Nearly 200 items of Al Capone memorabilia are coming to the market for the first time after being consigned to a California auction by his granddaughters.

A mid-19th century English giant carriage chronometer timepiece proved to be highly sought after at a recent Bonhams’ Fine Clocks sale.

Regulators hold their own distinct appeal for collectors who like their aesthetic and are interested in their historic horological function as precision timepieces.

Along with its Summer Fine Art sale, Tennants held a jewellery, watches and silver sale on July 17.

The central stone to this Art Deco seed pearl and diamond pendant is an elongated cushion-shaped pink sapphire, weighing about 25ct.