Attic Jewelry Collection Fetches $680,000
October 25, 26
(IDEX Online) - A collection of antique and vintage jewelry discovered in the attic of a family home in Malvern, England, has sold for £506,750 ($680,000), more than three times its original £150,000 ($200,000) valuation.
The 201 lots, amassed over a lifetime by the owner's grandmother, were uncovered during a house clearance and auctioned by London-based Elmwood's on October 21. The collection spanned more than 200 years of jewelry design and craftsmanship.
The standout lot was a Cartier diamond bow brooch dating to around 1905. Estimated at £1,000 to £1,500 ($1,340 to $2,000), it sold for £9,375 ($12,600).
Crafted in yellow gold and silver, the brooch is designed as a ribbon tied into a bow and set with old-cut and rose-cut diamonds. It is signed Cartier, numbered and bears French assay marks.
The collection included a substantial group of Art Deco jewelry from the 1920s and 1930s, reflecting the period's geometric designs and fascination with ancient Egyptian motifs.
One highlight was a diamond double-clip brooch in platinum, designed as a pair of stylized lotus flowers and set with an estimated 12.5 to 13.5 carats of diamonds. The two clips could be worn separately or joined to form a single brooch. The design reflects the influence of ancient Egyptian art following the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922.
The sale also featured 17 lots of Victorian animal brooches, including designs depicting a bull, donkey, partridge, badger, seagulls, foxes and greyhounds.
A diamond and ruby donkey brooch, estimated at just £100 to £150 ($135 to $200), sold for £1,375 ($1,850). A Victorian diamond and ruby bull brooch, set with approximately 2.5 to 2.8 carats of diamonds, was another notable piece.
Joe Kendrick, head of sale at Elmwood's, said: "We are absolutely delighted with the spectacular result achieved by this remarkable collection, which realized over half a million pounds."
He said the response from buyers had exceeded expectations, demonstrating the enduring appeal of fine antique and Art Deco jewelry.
The collection's result highlights the potential value of signed jewels, distinctive period designs and unusual antique pieces, particularly when offered together as a coherent col
Pic shows a Cartier diamond bow brooch dating to around 1905 sold for £9,375, against an estimate of £1,000 to £1,500, as part of a Malvern collection that realized £506,750.