Sale Results: May 2025
Demand for watches and jewellery was particularly strong in the May 31st auction held by Michael Bowman at Chudleigh.
Paintings and collectors' items began proceedings, including a flat expansive view in oils of Peffer Sands by the Scottish artist William Darling McKay (1844-1924). This atmospheric scene depicting a horseman with cattle, heading off into the distance, sold for a multi-estimate price of £1,100 to a mailing list client from Glasgow.
Several very collectable watches were on offer. A stainless steel Heuer Carrera was bought by a local bidder for £1,350. A 1958 Rolex Precision bracelet watch sold to a collector from the Isle Wight for £1,600.
The highlight of the day came when two internet bidders locked horns over a pair of pearl & diamond set drop earrings. They came in a fitted box supplied by the illustrious jewellers, S.J. Phillips and so it is quite possible that the pearls were of natural origin. Against a realistic estimate of £4,000-6,000, they sailed away to £10,000 from a bidder in Northampton. A present for his lucky wife!
A Georgian emerald & diamond ring caught the eye of an internet bidder from Spain for £2,200, whilst an Austrian bidder took a fancy to the sapphire & diamond set bow brooch with her winning bid of £4,200.
Hatton Garden jewellers needed to fend off strong local interest in an emerald & diamond cluster ring, paying a triple estimate £3,500. High gold prices were again apparent, when a bracelet set with four half sovereigns made a hefty £1,450.
Michael Bowman is now accepting suitable entries for his next auction to be held on July 26th. Get in touch if you think you may have something special that you would like us to auction for you.