Elstob & Elstob’s March sale features over six hundred lots of British and foreign silver, jewellery and fine objects. To be sold on 11 March, the catalogue includes spectacular finds from the maker Benjamin Brancker, gem-studded jewellery pieces and gilded objects associated with the royal family. Read on to discover some of the highlights from the sale.
One of the stand-out lots is this gem-set butterfly brooch. The fine piece contains a natural saltwater pearl, a cabochon ruby and cabochon sapphires. The beautiful wings contain rose-cut diamonds and oval-cut rubies.
"Brooches have typically struggled in recent years, but there are certain types and makers which do buck the trend," says Melanie Saleem MA FGA DGA, Jewellery Specialist and General Valuer. "Brooches featuring insects and animals – especially butterflies and dogs have always proved popular, novelty sporting brooches too have their niche collectors."
Another spectacular lot is this golden stuff box. The cartouche-shaped box contains a classic shining scene of figures within a classical interior. The box is engraved with the Royal coat of arms. It is sold complete with a fitted cloth-cover case. Experts state that the box can be compared to the one presented to Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquess Wellesley, the brother of the Duke of Wellington. The beautiful box and rich history ensure this piece will attract significant attention at the sale.
Commenting on the snuff box, Saleem explains, "This snuff box was certainly made for a very wealthy individual – it is likely to be made of high carat gold (silver, metal or other materials are far more common) and its unusual shape, away from the standard rectangular or circular form, suggests this was perhaps a commission or at least not a type that was mass-produced."
Those with a soft spot for Cartier will be delighted to see this pearl and diamond ring. The lovely ring contains a large pearl tension-set to round brilliant-cut diamonds. Still in good condition, this ring is a delight.
For those looking to expand their jewellery collection, or wanting to add a beautiful brooch to their wardrobe, Elstob & Elstob has just the thing. This silver brooch was artfully designed as a bunch of grapes suspended from two vine leaves. It is a wonderful example of the timeless Scandinavian craftsmanship for which Georg Jensen has become known.
"Georg Jensen is always a popular name," says Saleem, "and I know if I get a Georg Jensen brooch I wouldn't have to worry as these are always popular – the charming bird and ivy calf brooches by Arno Malinowski being particularly so. The Georg Jensen Moonlight grapes brooch in our upcoming sale is one of the less common Georg Jensen brooches and should do quite well. Brooches by twentieth-century designers like Georg Jensen have helped make brooches popular again with a younger audience."
Collectors will be delighted to see this extremely rare George I coffee pot by maker Benjamin Brancker. Brancker, who is known to have been working in Liverpool from the early years of the eighteenth century, is celebrated for his fine artistry with silver. This coffee pot was designed in a tapering cylindrical ‘lighthouse’ form with a hinged domed lid and a scroll-form spout. Marked with Benjamin Brancker’s signature ‘BB’, there is no doubt this silver piece is everything a collector would want!.
In terms of collecting, Saleem explains, "In the world of silver novelty pieces, provincial pieces and a good name are generally regarded as safe and popular areas to buy in."
"[The coffee pot] is an extremely rare piece of Liverpool provincial silver – before the end of the seventeenth century, hallmarking regulations were not very strict, with many pieces being completely unmarked, so to have a piece marked by a known Liverpool silversmith is incredibly rare. There has never been an official register for Liverpool silversmiths, nor has there ever been a Liverpool assay office (the nearest was Chester), the only way we know this is by a Liverpool maker is the presence of ‘STERLING’ after the maker’s mark. Marked Liverpool silver is extremely rare and sought after – this coffee pot would be a great addition to a provincial silver collection, or a great place to start one."
The March sale will see this Elizabeth II silver vessel come to market. The fruit-shaped piece is not one to miss. With a textured ground and gilded interior, this piece is a visual treat.
