There were some spectacular results achieved at Cheffins Jewellery, Silver and Watches sale this week, their first sale open to the public since the start of lockdown.

The event, which has become one of Cheffins’ feature sales in the auction calendar, saw strong bidding across all departments.

The star lot was a row of very rare Australian South Sea cultured baroque pearls which attracted strong bidding on the internet and the telephone, but it was a bidder in the room who fought off the competition with the hammer falling at £20,000 (Lot 268).

An important two stone diamond ring (Lot 269) with old round brilliant cut diamonds in a crossover setting, estimated at £3,000-£5,000, sold for £10,000.

Bidding was solid across the board in the watches department demonstrating that watches are still considered to be a worthwhile investment; a Rolex watch in need of complete restoration and estimated at just £150 - £250 sold for £1,100, a Mickey Mouse ‘Balloon Pants’ watch sold for £700 and a gold pocket watch nearly doubled its estimate, selling for £1500.

The market for silver antiques proved just as resilient with a pair of candlesticks (Lot 401) estimated at  £6,000 - £,8000 eventually knocked down for £9,500 and a Russian silver trompe l’oeil table cigarette box, estimated at  £600-£800, sold for £1000 (Lot 349).

Steven Collins, Head of the Jewellery, Silver and Watches department who carefully curated this sale, explained: “We were delighted that three months of lockdown has not dampened appetite for fine items of quality with good provenance. Although the majority of bids were commission bids and  the phone lines were busy all day, it’s clear that the demand is still there from both the trade and private buyers and investors.”

One vendor added: “We are, of course, absolutely delighted with the results which are far higher than we expected… exceptional results….first class.”

If you would like to consign an item for our next Jewellery, Silver and Watches sale, please contact Steven Collins on 01223 213343.