Ahead of our Jewellery, Silver and Watches Sale on Thursday 01 August, we look at five noteworthy lots well worth a second look as judged by our expert in the field.
Steven Collins, head of Jewellery, Silver and Watches at Cheffins, has chosen his five standout pieces from the sale at a range of prices. Needless to say, he found it a near impossible task to narrow down the amazing pieces in the sale to just five, but he got there in the end...
From the silver-plated section, Lot 288
The Napieran coffee machine… If anything epitomises the phrase ‘Victorian contraption’ it has to be this! A brilliant yet simple piece of engineering it apparently brews a great cup of coffee nearly 170 years after it was made.
Estimate £300-£500
In the silver section, Lot 339
The travelling picnic set – another piece of ingenuity, I love the way everything comes to bits and neatly stacks away, yet you have everything you need to enjoy your picnic, including the corkscrew!
Estimate £600-£800
In the objects section, Lot 281
Two words sum up this tortoiseshell box – simply stunning! Just look at the amount of work involved in making such an item. A really showcase for the maker’s skills!
In the jewellery section, Lot 75
A gorgeous example of guilloché enamelling, and clearly a much loved and cherished piece of jewellery… if only it could talk!
Estimate £300 - £500
In the watch section, Lot 272
Clean the dial up a bit and put a black crocodile strap on it and this would be one very smart looking watch!
Estimate £300-£500