Strong sales at Mallams’ Jewellery, Watches and Silver Sale

Mallams saw some great results in its 15 & 16 November Oxford Jewellery, Watches and Silver Sale, with a sale total of almost £335,000 (23% above top estimate) and 96% of lots sold.

The top lot, guided at £7000-£9000, was a diamond rivière necklace (lot 193), set with approximately 22 ct of diamonds, which sold to a trade buyer for £12,500. Also outperforming was lot 207, a cased, George VI gold specimen four coin set, comprising a £5 coin (quintuple sovereign), a £2 coin (double sovereign), a sovereign and a half sovereign, each dated 1937. Estimated at £3000-£5000, the set was fiercely contested, eventually going for £10,200.

An open face fob watch and fitted red leather box by Breguet (lot 236), with a Paris gold mark for 1819-1838, a maker's mark, signed dial and numbered case, was expected to achieve £800-£1200. However, strong interest amongst bidders saw the price soar ever upwards, with the hammer finally falling at £6400.

Other items of note in the Jewellery and Watches section included lot 102, an Eastern, yellow precious metal fringe necklace, which sold for its top estimate of £5000, and lot 141, an Arts and Crafts vari gem-set brooch attributed to Dorrie Nossiter, which sold for £3200, 4 times top estimate.

The second day of the sale focused on silver and objets de vertu and an extensive service of early Victorian silver King's pattern flatware (lot 734) by Joseph & Albert Savory (London 1840) in a fitted brass bound mahogany sarcophagus canteen, really piqued interest. With a guide of £4000-£5000, the winning bidder had to go to £6200 to secure the deal.

Another silver flatware service (lot 713), this time dating from the late 1940s and featuring stepped, Art Deco style terminals, was also highly contested. Produced by Mappin & Webb (Sheffield), this lot was guided at £3000-£4000 but went to £5400.

Lot 504, an 18ct gold rectangular cigarette case, with engine turned decoration and enamelled initials HHM, by Asprey & Co Ltd, London 1929, proved popular, selling for a mid-estimate £6050.

A Queen Anne Britannia standard silver porringer dating from Newcastle 1712 (lot 741) with fluted and punched decoration, engraving and s-scroll handles, was conservatively guided at £600-£800 but sold for a robust £4600.

Alicia Rogers, Head of Silver and Objets de Vertu, said “This was an excellent sale with strong prices achieved across the board, for all categories. The sale contained a good mix of mainly privately consigned lots which were fresh to the market, the quality of which was reflected in the results.”

Mallams is now accepting entries for its April 2024 Jewellery, Watches and Silver Sale. If you would like an informal valuation please contact Alicia Rogers at alicia.rogers@mallams.co.uk or call the Oxford saleroom on 01865 241358.

All prices are subject to a 30% buyers' premium (VAT inclusive).