The jewellery sale at Chiswick Auctions on September 17 includes pieces from the family of Robert Cowan Marshall, a wealthy Glasgow manufacturer who in 1896 acquired the historic house Burntshields at Kilbarchan. Lots include this 5in (12cm) 19th century Latin cross decorated with blue, white and red enamel, punctuated by octagonal-cut garnets in foiled closed-back settings, estimated at £500-700.
chiswickauctions.co.uk or see this item on thesaleroom.com
This 8in (20cm) 19th century Chinese zitan brush pot, carved with sages amongst trees and mountains, with inscriptions signed by the artist, comes from a private collection formed in Hong Kong in the 1960s. It is estimated at £2000-3000 at Ma San Auction House in Bath on September 19.
The 1908 Olympics were held at short notice in White City, west London, after the 1906 Naples earthquake left the Italians unable to afford to host the games in Rome. Just 22 countries took part in London and Great Britain took 56 gold, 51 silver and 39 bronze medals – a haul surely never to be repeated which put it top of the table.
The silver-plated and blue enamel badges worn by event officials are rare. They were made by Vaughton of Birmingham, each depicting the head of Athena within a ribbon reading Olympic Games London 1908 and the title of the wearer. This judge’s badge has an estimate of £500-600 at David Duggleby’s Country House sale in Scarborough on September 13.
davidduggleby.com or see this item on thesaleroom.com
The September 19-20 auction of collectors’ items at Charterhouse in Sherborne, Dorset, includes this Bassett-Lowke model of a Burrell engine.
Dating to the 1950s or ‘60s, this ¾in scale model originally came in kit form. Included in the lot is a Bassett-Lowke Model Railway and Engineering Catalogue which lists all the castings and components necessary to build your own model. Another booklet is titled How to Build a Traction Engine.
If you did not have the time, skills or inclination, Bassett-Lowke would sell you a finished model, with instructions and accessories for running, for £136 – a substantial sum given you could buy a new Mini in 1960 for about £500.
Estimate £600-1000.
