Features

The latest edition of the Coin Yearbook is published this month.

While the ‘peak season’ for Old Master sales in the UK traditionally falls twice a year in early July and December, coinciding with the flagship sales in the London rooms, notable lots nevertheless appear throughout the year at auctions around the country.

The Coinex extravaganza brings out the big guns of the UK numismatics trade alongside continental European dealers.

On October 3 Noonans will sell two single-owner collections.

Sir Henry Raeburn (1756-1823) painted several versions of his portrait of Neil Gow, the most famous 18th century Scottish fiddler, for a number of patrons.

Among the lots on offer at Sworders’ upcoming Old Master, British and European Art sale is a small sketch of two lawyers by Honoré Daumier (1808-79).

This 18th century portrait, sold for $10,000/£7965 ($12,600 including premium) at Merrill’s of Williston, Vermont, is by Nathaniel Hone (1718-84).

The September 12 fine jewellery and watches sale at Adam’s in Dublin is led by a diamond tiara bracelet of approximately 38ct set in platinum.

A favourite ring of Sammy Davis Jr sold at Fellows (25% buyer’s premium) in Birmingham on August 24.

The September 21 sale at Dawsons in Maidenhead includes this Cartier natural sapphire and diamond brooch designed as a single bloom of cherry blossom.

A chalcedony, sapphire and diamond flower brooch by Suzanne Belperron (1900-83) was included in Tennants’ (24% buyer’s premium) Fine Jewellery, Watches and Silver sale on July 15.

Serpent jewels, symbols of eternity and exoticism, are ever popular and two good examples are on offer this autumn.

Collectors with refined taste are happy to take their time even when it comes to the most important makers.

Both Christie’s and Bonhams brought impressive Chinese clocks to market in July.

The precursor to the Woolley & Wallis Fine Jewellery sale on October 25 is a single-owner catalogue devoted to the collection of Jean Louis Chameroy (1946-2020).

Dent and Co is one of the bestknown names in English horology with a long history of precision clock and watch making.

Jewellery from the estate of Ella Naper (1886-1972) was offered at Lay’s (21% buyer’s premium) in Lanner, Cornwall on August 10-11.

‘Wristlets’ bridged the gap as pocket watches transitioned into the modern wristwatch during the Great War but had a significant design flaw in the hinged cover still in place.

The Cartier Love Bracelet – the plain gold band with screwheads to lock it around the wearer’s wrist – has become one of the most recognised pieces of modern jewellery.

The north European Mannerist bronze sold for £550,000 against a guide of £250-350 was not the only spectacular sleeper in the August 8 sale at Reeman Dansie (22.5% buyer’s premium).