Ledbury Focus Winter 2019/2020 Ledbury Focus Dec-Jan 2020 v3 | Page 32

S miths’ November antique sale turned out to be a very hectic day with a record number of commission bids coming in at the last minute. It took two staff working flat out for over an hour, just to get them all on the sale book before the sale started! don’t really mean that! It was a real pleasure selling at such an exhilarating pace, as I swapped on and off the rostrum with my colleague until gone 7pm in the evening. Many of these bids were on the jewellery, gold and silver - my favourite section of the auction to sell on the rostrum and this sale was certainly no exception. However, with nearly four hundred lots to get through it became quite exhausting by the end, with bids flying in from all directions! Prices remained pretty buoyant throughout the day; however there was a little surprise in store, when a box of pewter estimated at £10 - £30 made £1,220! It seems an early and rather battered pewter tankard had been spotted online by several eagle-eyed specialists whom I am yet to quiz as to exactly what made this very ordinary looking item quite so special. Almost all of the antique and modern jewellery, as well as much of the costume jewellery, found eager buyers. There was such strong bidding throughout, that I almost began to find myself wishing they would all just stop … of course, I Smiths’ forthcoming antiques and collectables sales will take place on 6th December (with a special section for antique toys) and 24th January (with a specialist coin section). Entries are invited on the 10th, 12th and 17th December, and on the 2nd and 7th January 2020 between 10am and 3pm. For further details, please call 01531 821776 or visit www.smithsnewentauctions.co.uk For further details please visit www.smithsnewent auction.co.uk or telephone 01531 821776. article by Rita Kearsey pair of diamond earrings Monthly Sales of Antiques & Collectables Victorian diamond marquise ring Sold £420 6th December & 24th January at 10am includes Coins, Silver, Gold, Jewellery, Ceramics, Glass, Furniture, Pictures & Collectables Viewing Day Prior 10am-7pm and morning of sale Fully illustrated catalogues available online Entries Invited for 10th, 12th & 17th December and 7th January 10am to 3pm or by appointment Why not pop in for a free valuation and sales advice with our valuer Home visits for larger consignments Nelson gold proof crown set Sold £2220 32 Live online bidding available www.smithsnewentauctions.co.uk To advertise call 01684 833715 or email: [email protected]