Bat out of heaven...
8th July 2022
Eager bidding from the first lot to the last ensured that Lawrences recorded a host of high prices in the Summer Fine Jewellery auction on July 7th.
A collection of pocket watches realised £16,775 with the top price being paid for an 18ct gold half hunting cased watch by Daniel Desbois, 1908, that made £1750. A silver cased pocket chronometer by Thomas Earnshaw, fitted with the Earnshaw Spring Detent escapement, dated from c.1800 and doubled hopes of £5000 to tick up a winning bid of £11,250. Two Rolex wristwatches showed their dependable popularity: a steel Date-Just Turnograph Automatic Chronometer making £5250 and an Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller making £7500.
Precious stones commanded consistently good prices: an emerald five stone ring soared to ten times its estimate and made £4250; a Georgian gold and gem set cluster ring more than doubled hopes of £1500 to make £3500; an Art Deco diamond bracelet also made £3500; a diamond bow brooch made £5500; an Edwardian emerald and diamond ring made £7500 and a Georgian diamond flowerhead brooch with a central diamond measuring just under 9mm made £11,875. A long necklace or sautoir of seed pearls and diamonds made £6000 against an estimate of £2000-3000.
A historical revival pearl and portrait miniature necklace set with three Royal portraits and in a fitted case by D. S. Lavender of London made £8125 but the sale’s top price was paid for a Victorian diamond brooch in the form of a bat, set with old-cut and rose-cut diamonds. Just 6cm wide, this attracted fierce online bidding and no fewer than a dozen telephone bidders. In the bright sunshine of a perfect summer day, this bejewelled creature of the night flew to a remarkable £20,000.
