Early Victorian diamond rivière – £47,000 at Catherine Southon.
According to the vendor, the necklace was purchased by a family member from Garrard and Co, Regent Street, in May 1948. It numbered 51 graduated cushion-shaped old brilliant-cut diamonds, most of VS/SI clarity and with a total weight of around 30ct. A contest between nine phone bids was won by a private buyer on sale day at Farleigh Court Golf Club in Surrey on May 10-11.
From the same vendor, who had consigned after a valuation day, came an attractive pair of French Art Deco diamond-set ear clips in the style of Cartier. These were bought by a UK bidder on the phone for £23,000 against an estimate of £8000-12,000.
Georgian emerald and diamond-set cluster pendant – £5000 at Catherine Southon.
Also of interest was a Georgian emerald and diamond-set cluster pendant that sold to a member of the trade for £5000 against an estimate of £2500-3500, while a late 17th century yellow gold and enamel-decorated heart-shaped locket, c.1690, guided at £500-800 sold for £4000 to a member of the trade.
Stuart gold and enamel locket c.1690 – £4000 at Catherine Southon.
Found in a large suitcase full of items brought to a valuation day, the latter was worked to the reverse with a pair of putti and the inscription There is no sting in sweets I bring. The motto refers to Cupid, who is offering ‘sweets’ in the form of flowers, rather than the more usual ‘sting’ that his arrows would deliver.
