Smiths’ summer auction, held on August 8-9, showcased a remarkable array of jewellery, drawing significant interest from both trade professionals and private collectors. The standout item of the sale was a three-stone diamond ring, which fetched £2,500 from a local private buyer.
A last-minute addition of antique jewellery featured prominently, including a striking enamel and gilt snake bangle set with diamonds, which sold for £1,900 to a trade buyer. Another notable piece from the same vendor was a Victorian gold necklace with an enamel snake pendant, set with pearls and garnets, which went for £1,550, also to a trade bidder. The auction’s extensive collection of antique and modern gold jewellery saw fierce competition, with many pieces surpassing their estimated values.
In the coin section, a gold 1974 Krugerrand mounted on a 9ct gold chain sold for £2,100, while a 1912 gold sovereign on a chain achieved £500. Smiths is now accepting entries for their January specialist coin sale, making it a good time to consider having old coin collections appraised.
The auction also featured a dedicated section for antique and vintage toys. Highlights included large-scale model boats and kits, with a Super Nintendo Game console selling for £140 and a ‘Man From Uncle’ toy gun in its original box reaching £110. Traditional toys, such as lead soldiers and model trains, sold well, though dolls and teddy bears were less popular.
Antique furniture and paintings attracted substantial interest, with many items selling for more than their estimates. A second collection of military cap badges from Coleford also performed strongly, with a rare group of five Seaforth Highlanders badges fetching £520.
The collectables section featured appealing items for the home, such as an antique painted and carved wood snipe that sold for £210 and a lead garden figure of a cherub that reached £260. Unexpectedly, a stereoscope and a collection of 72 cards sold for £340, well above the £20-£40 estimate, while a rare Singer Featherlight sewing machine achieved £390 against a £250-£350 estimate. Other notable results included a Buck rosewood shoulder plane, which sold for £280, and a Victorian table croquet set, complete with hoops and balls, which made £210.
Smiths is now inviting entries for their September Antiques & Collectables sale, which will feature furniture, silver, gold, jewellery, ceramics, paintings, and collectables, as well as a specialist section for watches.