A spectacular life-size silver fox, modelled in the late 19th century by famed Victorian taxidermist James Rowland Ward, sold for £100,000 (all figures exclude buyer's premium) in Tennants Auctioneers' Fine Jewellery, Watches and Silver Sale on 16th November. The model was presented in 1888 to Sir Bache Cunard, legendary huntsman and scion of the Cunard shipping family, as a testimonial for his services to hunting in South Leicestershire and was paid for by subscription by members of his hunt. The names of the subscribers were written in a leather book, which is housed in a drawer in the base of the sculpture. The fox, which weighs in at an impressive 16kg, is beautifully rendered in a naturalistic 'on the alert' pose and has been passed down by through the descendants of the Cunard family.
From the same family collection was a Graduated Set of Four Edward VII Silver Table Ornaments, made by Sir Bache Cunard circa 1905. Cunard registered his first mark with Goldsmiths’ Hall in 1901, and his works are incredibly rare, as he was presumably only making items for his family and friends. The ornaments, which are in the form of a branches and leaves, sold for £1,400. By Cunard, too, was an Edward VII Silver-Mounted Coconut Vessel, modelled as a stylised arachnid with a chased face (sold for £1,000). Also selling well in the Silver section of the sale were a Russian Gold-Mounted Silver-Gilt and Guilloché Enamel Pill Box by Fabergé (sold for £5,000), a Charles I Provincial Parcel-Gilt Silver Apostle Spoon by James Birkby, Hull, circa 1650 (sold for £4,200), a Set of Four George III Scottish Silver Beakers, Maker’s Mark RR, Edinburgh 1816 (sold for £2,200), and a George II Irish Silver Salver, Maker’s Mark HC, Dublin, circa 1740 (sold for £2,800).
Luxury and collectable watches continue to sell well, with top prices achieved for the likes of a Rolex 18 Carat Gold Submariner Date (ref: 116618LB) 2015 (sold for £17,000), a Rolex Stainless Steel GMT Master (ref: 1675), 1966 with Dual Time Zone ‘Pepsi’ Bezel (sold for £13,000), and a Cartier 18 Carat Rose Gold Calibre de Cartier (ref: 3300), 2018 (sold for £10,000). Lady’s watches by the likes of Cartier and Rolex have become particularly popular in recent years, and a notable highlight of the present sale was a Rolex Lady’s Steel and Gold Datejust (ref: 69173), 1985, which sold for £2,600.
Leading the Jewellery section of the sale was a Pink Sapphire and Diamond Ring, which sold for £12,000, and a Colour-Change Sapphire and Diamond Ring, which sold for £8,000. Amongst the 19th century pieces in the sale, an Early 19th Century Cannetille Aquamarine Parure sold for £2,800, a 19th Century Topaz and Diamond and Cluster Ring sold for £4,500, a Sapphire and Diamond Bangle (sold for £4,000), and an Amethyst and Pearl Pendant, circa 1880 sold for £1,900. The continuing popularity of Art Deco rings was evidenced by an Art Deco Diamond and Sapphire Three Stone Ring selling for £5,000 against an estimate of £2,000-3,000.
A good selection of modern designer jewellery was led by an 18 Carat White Gold Aquamarine and Diamond Necklace by Thomas A. Payne (sold for £2,000), and an 18 Carat Gold Tourmaline and Diamond Brooch by Alan Gard (sold for £2,800). Novelty brooches all sold well above estimate, too, with a Pair of Duckling Brooches by Boucheron selling for £3,000, and an 18 Carat Gold Ruby and Diamond Brooch in the form of a Squirrel by Kutchinsky selling for £2,200.
The sale realised a total hammer price of £763,960 for the 377 lots, and an 88% sold rate.
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