Peak in Gold Price Reaps Rewards at Mallams' Jewellery, Watches & Silver Sale on 31 July

An increase in the price of gold on the day of the sale meant that gold jewellery and coins sold particularly well at Mallams' Jewellery, Watches & Silver sale last week, helping the auction house achieve a sale total of £307,000 with a selling rate of almost 94% - a fantastic result.

An 18 carat gold fancy-link necklace and bracelet suite (lot 179) by the internationally renowned goldsmith and pioneer of Greek revivalist jewellery design, Ilias Lalaounis, achieved £2200 against an estimate of £700-£900, whilst an 18ct gold and gem set owl brooch (lot 184) made double estimate at £1000.

Diamond and coloured gemstone rings provided a similar buzz of interest, with two diamond single stone rings (lots 343 and 347) selling for £5000 and £6500 respectively. A sapphire and diamond cluster ring (lot 349), featuring an unheated Myanmar (Burma) sapphire weighing approximately 2.10ct, sold for £3600, and an emerald and diamond double cluster ring (lot 348) achieved a hammer price of £6800. Featuring a pear-shaped Colombian emerald and similarly shaped old-cut diamond, it was a truly striking piece.

Georgian and Victorian period jewellery proved consistently popular, the hammer falling at a stunning £7400 for a late 18th/early 19th century diamond bird brooch (lot 351) featuring a cushion-shaped old-cut diamond at its centre and pavé set diamond wings. A 19th century coral cameo (lot 222), carved to depict a bacchante enclosed by fruiting vines, achieved £1300, and a collection of green paste jewellery (lot 49) made £1600, each reflecting the current strong demand for antique coral and paste pieces. From the property of a collector, a Georgian memorial panel ring (lot 269), painted en grisaille with a maiden in mourning, peaked at £550.

The top selling lot of the sale, a gentleman's stainless steel 'Speedmaster' chronograph wristwatch (lot 357), complete with maker's box and guarantee dated 17 March 1964, attracted considerable interest due to its condition and age, selling to a telephone bidder for £13500, over four times its top estimate.

In the silver category, two late Victorian scent bottles by Sampson Mordan each achieved above estimate prices. The first (lot 474), a silver mounted Webb cameo glass example in fitted case, modelled as the head of a swan, made £2200, and the second (lot 487), a silver scent bottle decorated with enamel primroses, sold for £400.

Other silver highlights included lot 616, a William and Mary silver tazza dating from 1693, selling for £2200, and lot 569, a set of four late Victorian silver rectangular entree dishes and covers by the Sheffield based silversmiths, Thomas Bradbury & Sons, selling for £2,000. An attractive pair of George III Irish silver sauce boats by Richard Williams (lot 650), decorated with flowers and scrolls, achieved more than double estimate at £1400.

Mallams is now accepting entries for its next Jewellery, Watches & Silver Sale on 13 November 2019. If you have any items of interest, please call 01865 241358 and speak with Mallams' expert valuation team.

All prices are subject to a 27% buyers' premium (VAT inclusive).