Features

Among the many versions of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner, the reference 5508 with its James Bond association is perhaps the best known.

The Fine Jewellery and Watches auction at Sworders of Stansted Mountfitchet on November 20 will include this Cartier Art Deco rose-cut diamond, black and white enamel and seed pearl-set pendant watch, c.1915.

The sale titled California Jewelry held by Doyle in New York on November 19 includes some fine period pieces sourced by the Manhattan firm via its West Coast office.

This novel 14ct gold, cabochon emerald, diamond, and ruby brooch by Van Cleef & Arpels carries an estimate of $5000-7000 at Skinner of Boston’s sale of Important Jewelry on December 4.

There was a time when vintage Omega represented a cost-effective alternative to vintage Rolex. Today, the rule does not always apply.

This amethyst and cultured pearl ring and brooch is by Stuart Devlin (1931-2018) – the Australian-born designer and craftsman the Duke of Edinburgh described as “probably the most original and creative goldsmith and silversmith of his time, and one of the greats of all time”.

Dr Anne Shannon would no doubt have admired these three pieces of turn of the century jewellery sold at UK regional salerooms in recent weeks.

An unusual entry to Hansons’ September auction in Teddington, south-west London, was a ‘diamond’ in the rough – an uncut 5ct crystal still in its original carrier stone.

This well-preserved medieval annular brooch set with cabochon rubies and sapphires is a rare survivor from the 14th century.

By the 1950s, as the global economic landscape improved, luxury was making a comeback and so too was the prolific use of diamonds in the jewellery of France’s premier ateliers.

The Charterhouse two-day November 15-16 auction in Sherborne includes a substantial selection of jewellery and watches.

The sale of the Anne Shannon collection of British and Continental designer jewellery will live long in the memory.

Woolley & Wallis followed the Shannon collection with a mixed-owner sale on November 1. Together the auctions brought a premium-inclusive £2.1m.

Heritage Auctions’ Fine Jewelry Signature sale in New York on December 3 includes two rings by London-based designer and virtuoso goldsmith Elizabeth Gage.

Near and far beyond London, the UK regions offer an autumn calendar thronging with specialist auctions. Here Gabriel Berner previews some forthcoming highlights.

As the UK is about to hit its annual peak of Asian art selling events and auctions, Roland Arkell, Alex Capon and Noelle McElhatton asked dealers and auctioneers to pick a key market trend from the wide array of collecting areas on show.

Thirteen auction houses take part in this year’s Asian Art in London, the number swollen by overseas as well as UK regional salerooms. Roland Arkell previews forthcoming highlights.

Asian Art in London is a chance to find outstanding examples of eastern art at galleries across the capital. Here, Frances Allitt spotlights some of what’s on offer

We present candidates for the 2018 AAL Awards, co-sponsored by ATG. From this list judges will pick two outstanding works of art, one from a dealer and the other from an auction house

If the work of the best modern and contemporary artists is typically confined to a small coterie of London auctioneers, then the same cannot be said of the best modern and contemporary ceramics.