We were delighted to hold our largest ever Jewellery, Silver & Watches sale here at Gorringe’s on Tuesday 28 October. Featuring more than 750 lots, including almost 600 items of fine and antique jewellery, the sale attracted keen interest and saw some exceptional results.
90% of lots were sold – more than half above their high estimate – and the total sold value exceeded £825,000 (all figures in this article include Buyers' Premium).
Gorringe’s Head of Jewellery Sam Hug and Head of Silver and Watches Roger Mead reveal some of their highlights from the sale.
Jewellery
We saw extremely strong demand for jewellery lots across the board, particularly for vintage and antique jewels.
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A number of fine Art Deco pieces included our cover lot, lot 759, a carved emerald and diamond jabot pin dating to around 1925. Of Mughal inspiration, this stylish jewel was reputedly purchased from Asprey in the 1920s by the grandfather of the present owner. It attracted significant interest from collectors and sold for £22,500, beating its pre-sale estimate of £8,000-12,000.
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Mid-century items also featured prominently, among them the top lot of the sale – lot 687, a Cartier TV bangle, which sold for £37,500 against an estimate of £7,000-9,000. This rare design in 18ct gold was part of a collection of sleek and minimalist yellow-gold jewels produced by Cartier London during the 1970s in response to a demand for more casual, fashionable designs.
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Single stones also sold well, particularly our selection of diamond rings, which ranged from Art Deco examples through to the 21st century. Among these strong performers, the highlight was lot 749, a 2.31 carat D VVS1 square emerald-cut diamond ring made by famed French jewellers Boucheron in 2006, which sold for £23,750 against a pre-sale estimate of £15,000-20,000.
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Earlier antique jewels were also met with strong interest – standout pieces included lot 396, a rare amethyst and enamel mourning ring, which sold for £3,000 – five times its high estimate. The ring bears the dedicatory inscription 'IN MEM OF THREE SISTERS' – an unusually poignant and anonymous inscription for this type of jewel.
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Lot 704 was a particularly good example of a classic Victorian diamond 'star' brooch. Set with cushion-shaped diamonds totalling approximately 8.00 carats, finely mounted in silver and gold, and presented in its original fitted case, it achieved a hammer price of £11,250 against an
estimate of £2,500-3,500.
Silver
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A range of fascinating antique silver tableware included lot 19, a pair of George IV silver sauce tureens by Philip Rundell. Complete with covers and integral stands, these ornate tureens feature gadrooned borders, a reeded rustic handle and lion's-paw feet. They sold for £2,375 against an estimate of £600-800.
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Lot 36, a monstrance by Placide Poussielgue-Rusand of Paris dating to the mid-19th century also achieved an impressive result. Once owned by John Henry Bickersteth, former Bishop of Exeter, it is of typical sunburst form and decorated with cherubs and fruiting vines, and the base is embossed with the Angus Dei and The Eye of Providence. This exquisite piece had an estimate of £400-600 and sold for £2,000.
Watches
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The sale featured almost 50 rare, antique and collectable watches, with highlights including lot 92, a late George III 18ct gold pair-cased open-faced keywind single fusee pocket watch by James Glover of Manchester (estimate £800-1000). With clear hallmarks and its original key, it sold for £5,000.
Our next Jewellery, Silver & Watches auction takes place on 3 February 2026 and we’re pleased to be inviting consignments ahead of the deadline on 5 January. Visit our consignments page if you would like a free, no-obligation valuation for your items of jewellery, silver or watches, or contact us for more information.
