Buyers were out in force at the Cheffins Jewellery, Silver & Watches Sale which took place at the firm’s Cambridge sale rooms on Thursday 21st August. Featuring 483 lots, the sale grossed just under £500,000 with a sale rate of 99 per cent as a number of lots in each of the three sections saw prices well over their pre-sale estimates.
Leading the 211-lot jewellery section was a diamond riviere necklace, which sold for £24,000, over double its lower presale estimate of £10,000, when it sold to a London-based trade buyer. Similarly, an Asscher cut diamond ring achieved £13,000 against an estimate of £5,000 - £7,000 to a private UK buyer. There was also a number of pieces from some of the largest jewellery design houses, with one of the highlights being an 18-carat gold scarf necklace by Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co which sold for £7,000 to a private collector. Antique pieces were also popular, and an early 20th century diamond set rose brooch achieved £6,000 against an estimate of £2,000 - £4,000 and was sold to a London-based trade buyer.
A selection of diamond rings from the Jewellery, Silver & Watches sale
The second-hand watch market also continues to bear fruit, with a number of significant sales at the auction. A Hanhart WWII German Wehrmacht ‘fleiger’ steel chronograph wristwatch achieved £1,700, well over its estimate of £200 - £400 and sold to a Dutch collector. Similarly, a Breiling titanium ‘Aerospace’ wristwatch made £800 against an estimate of £200 - £500 and a LeCoultre steel ‘Duoplan’ made £1,200.
Among the silver, the leading lot was a series of 18th century silverware direct from the Plas Newydd estate of the notorious Ladies of Llangollen. Having seen much presale attention, this sold for £2,600 to a UK-based private collector. Other strong results included £11,000 paid for a pair of George III silver gilt butter bowls and covers, which eclipsed their presale estimate of £2,000 - £4,000 and were sold to the UK trade, while a set of four George III silver gilt sweetmeat dishes achieved £5,500 against an estimate of £1,500 - £2,500.
Silverware from the estate of the Ladies of Llangollen
Steven Collins, Head of Jewellery, Silver & Watches at Cheffins, comments:
“Our summer sale attracted hundreds of buyers, including many new to Cheffins. The catalogue was wonderfully varied, featuring exceptional jewellery pieces, a number of which achieved prices well above estimate. Silver is clearly enjoying a resurgence, with every lot performing strongly, and the Ladies of Llangollen silverware drew significant interest from private collectors, trade buyers, and institutions alike. The market for pre-owned watches also remains buoyant, with this sale offering some particularly sought-after examples. We are now turning our attention to the November sale, which promises to have another exciting and eclectic catalogue.”
For further information contact the Fine Art Department on 01223 213343, fine.art@cheffins.co.uk