A cache of antiquarian jewellery discovered next to a joint of meat in an old freezer will be offered at auction in Wiltshire this month.
Found in a run-down house in a village local to the Kidson-Trigg saleroom, the collection of Renaissance and later jewels is the latest valuable revelation from the home that is being cleared following the death of the owner.
Bullion in the walls
Gold bullion has been found in the walls of the house and two Old Master paintings uncovered earlier this year were sold at auction in May including a still-life by Flemish painter Frans Snyders (1579- 1657) that was hammered down at £300,000.
Detail from the front page of ATG No 2393 reporting the £300,000 Frans Snyders still-life result at Kidson-Trigg.
The deceased former owner was described by Kidson-Trigg as “a lady of considerable means… who during the 1960s had purchased many items from the London auction houses and galleries and specialist jewellery dealers in Hatton Garden”.
Among the highlights of the November 13 sale will be a 16th century enamel and gem-set ‘Pelican in her Piety’ pendant.
The 30 lots of jewellery, with modest, probate-led estimates, will be available to view by appointment only and are not being stored at Kidson-Trigg’s saleroom near Highworth, Swindon.
