Clocks, Watches & Jewellery

An unusual 19th century gold watch by the Swiss maker Sylvain Mairet caught the eye of numerous bidders at a recent sale at Dr Crott (25% buyer’s premium) in Mannheim.

A complicated astronomical carriage clock by Breguet & Fils, first sold in January 1826, went dramatically over the odds at Antiquorum (25% buyer’s premium) in Geneva.

Whether captivated by exquisite jewellery or the clean lines and tactile allure of British studio pottery, the V&A’s two summer exhibitions are not to be missed

Oxfordshire sale includes minaudière designed as an alternative to traditional handbags - plus a more conventional ‘French Jazz Age’ evening bag

The Swiss watchmaker Patek Philippe and American jeweller Tiffany & Co recognised the merits of a union of luxury brands in the mid 19th century.

A diminutive Queen Anne walnut longcase signed by Christopher Gould (c.1655-1718) made $25,000 (£18,645) against a guide of $2000-3000 at Locati (25% buyer’s premium) in Pineville, Pennsylvania.

A fine English table clock by Huguenot maker Stephen Rimbault (1711-86) generated plenty of competition at auction in the Netherlands.

This impressive array of costume jewellery sold in Paris showcased the work of half a century and seven creative directors of the Dior brand.

Cartier’s aquamarine jewellery appears to have been predominantly produced from the London workshop starting in 1932.

While Whitby jet was particularly fashionable during the reign of Victoria, it had been a popular material for jewellery from the Romano British period onwards.

The sale of Fine Jewellery & Ladies Watches at Adam’s (25% buyer’s premium) in Dublin on May 13 included an impressive retro sapphire and diamond ‘tank’ ring, c.1940, that came for sale from the ‘private collection of a Continental lady’.

In the 1920s-30s, the Scottish-born goldsmith Sybil Dunlop (1889- 1968) presided over a workshop in London’s Kensington Church Street dressed in a kaftan and Russian fur boots.

Bonhams’ London Jewels sale on June 5 features a spectacular Cartier turquoise and diamond tiara that comes by descent from Nancy, Viscountess Astor (1879-1964).

This large diamond, sapphire and emerald peacock feather brooch was the highlight of a recent Fine Jewellery sale held at Fellows (25% buyer’s premium) in Birmingham.

Among the highlights of a recent jewellery sale held by Mallams (25% buyer’s premium) in Oxford was this mid-to late-19th century amethyst parure.

A previously unrecorded Elizabethan gold signet ring, a gift from the influential Tudor financier and merchant, Sir Thomas Gresham (1519-79), comes for sale at Noonans on June 17.

This Victorian acrostic gold, hardstone and paste necklace, probably made in Rome c.1890, sold for £3800 (estimate £2000-3000) at Olympia Auctions’ (25% buyer’s premium) Jewellery & Watches sale on May 22.

Some ‘prisoner of war’ productions are now thought to have been made by skilled craftsmen