Auctioneers

In the thrifty years after the Wall Street Crash, many Cartier jewels used fewer large diamonds and more colourful secondary stones. What they lost in intrinsic value they more than made up for with the ‘wow’ factor.

Two lots offered as part of a Chinese works of art auction held by Christie’s (25/20/14.5% buyer’s premium) brought matching bids of £110,000 – far, far in excess of their estimates.

These two fine examples of archaeological revival gold jewellery come for sale in the regions in July.

The best-performing lots in the tribal art sale at Woolley & Wallis (25% buyer’s premium) in Salisbury on June 8 were these two pieces: an Ibibio mask (idiok ekpo) sold at £30,000 and a Nicobar standing male figure (kareau) that brought £34,000.

While wine served by Richard and Sheila Miller was generally drunk from Georgian glasses, it could come to the table via these later talking points.

A round-up of art and antiques news from the previous seven days, including news of Aaron Dean joining Adam Partridge.

Kashmir sapphires have acquired a near-legendary status, due to their lustrous cornflower colour, soft velvety texture and extreme rarity.

The collection of about 800 engraved gems formed by the nobleman and politician George Spencer, 4th Duke of Marlborough (1739-1817), was the largest and most important of the age.

The stopwatch used by English referee Jack Taylor in the 1974 World Cup final sold for a within-estimate £3300 at Fellows (23/15% buyer’s premium) in Birmingham.

At the beginning of the 20th century, Gustav Klimt was without doubt the most famous Austrian painter, and Josef Hoffmann the most renowned designer and architect.

Halls’ (23% buyer’s premium) Summer auction in Shrewsbury on June 16 included a private collection of nine pieces of Boucheron jewellery.

A new record for the Pilkington’s Lancastrian factory was set by Moreton-in-Marsh firm Kinghams.

Included in the Cheffins Fine Sale in Cambridge on June 30-July 1 are more than 50 lots of furniture, antiques, ceramics and collectors’ items from the famous Hertfordshire estate, Julians Park.

A highlight from the Fine Chinese Paintings and Works of Art sale at Woolley & Wallis in Salisbury on July 27 is this set of four porcelain plaques by the celebrated Republic period artist Wang Qi (1884-1937).

The Welsh sale at Rogers Jones in Cardiff on July 24 includes this rare Ewenny pottery slipware wassail bowl and cover, estimated at £3000-5000.

Sotheby’s has described this oil on canvas by Frederic, Lord Leighton (1830-96) as “a fascinating and beautiful rediscovery”.

The opening lot in Hake’s June 29-30 auction Pennsylvania, is a 1767 promissory note hand-signed by a prominent Virginia slave owner – George Washington.