Articles From The Experts

A recent discovery by one of our experienced valuers, Alastair Meiklejon during a walk-through valuation, led to an exceptional financial opportunity for our client, highlighting the crucial importance of the need for everyone to have a valuation and greater understanding of their assets.The item, part of an inherited collection, had never been insured and was presented to Alastair alongside several other pieces during the assessment. The owner, unaware of its true value, had initially dismissed it as insignificant.However, due to Alastair’s sharp attention to detail, this valuable asset was uncovered, turning what could have been an overlooked piece into an exciting opportunity, weeks of discovery and a big decision for our client.In this episode listen to Alastair’s account of this remarkable find.

In this episode, jewellery and watches specialist Liz Baily discusses the rising value of shipwrecked artifacts and jewellery. From pieces from the General Abbatucci cargo ship that sank in 1869, and a Waltham pocket watch worn by Titanic passenger John Jacob Astor, the sale prices for these items have increased significantly over time, with some selling for hundreds of thousands or even millions of pounds at auction.

In this episode, senior valuer & collectors specialist Stephanie Connell shines a spotlight on renowned Kenyan-British ceramicist, Dame Magdalene Odundo. With her current exhibition at Houghton Hall, Norfolk coming to an end this month, Stephanie looks at her work, which often features narrative and figurative elements, and how she has used ceramics to explore themes such as slavery, protest, and human condition.

In this episode, jewellery specialist Aurélia Turrall looks at the rare and valuable world of pink diamonds. These diamonds are prized for their vibrant colour, which is caused by crystal distortion rather than trace elements like other coloured diamonds. Pink diamonds are extremely scarce, with only 0.1% of the world's total diamond production classified as such.

In this episode, jewellery and watches specialist Liz Bailey looks at a major jewellery trend in 2024, “divorce rings.” Supermodel Emily Ratajkowski helped popularise this trend after her divorce, by repurposing her diamond engagement ring into two separate pieces. But the concept of repurposing jewellery after divorce is not new; it dates back to the early 20th century. Women on both side of the Atlantic altered their wedding rings to signify divorce, sometimes resizing them to be worn on a different finger or adding symbolic designs.

In this episode, silver specialist Fiona Hamilton looks at the decadent silver ornamentation produced during the British Raj in India (1858-1947). The flourishing silver industry was driven by increasing demand from the British and a rising Indian middle class. Notable companies like P. Orr & Sons and Oomersee Mawjee became famous for their ornate silverware, featuring local styles such as the Swami, Kutch, and Lucknow designs. These exquisite works, ranging from tea services to punch bowls, adorned British and Indian homes alike, symbolising affluence and cultural exchange during this colonial era.

In this episode jewellery and watches specialist Liz Bailey explores the fascinating history and legal battle surrounding John Lennon’s Patek Philippe ref. 2499 watch. This rare and iconic timepiece, gifted to Lennon by Yoko Ono just months before his tragic death, has been embroiled in a nearly decade-long lawsuit. The watch, which mysteriously disappeared for 34 years before resurfacing in the hands of an Italian collector, is now at the centre of a court case in Geneva. The legal dispute, expected to conclude by the end of 2024, has captivated collectors and watch enthusiasts, with many anticipating the potential auction of this historically significant watch.

In this episode, Old Master specialist David Dallas reviews the results from the Old Master sales that took place in London in early July. The results show a market where desirable works achieve high sales, while less sought-after pieces struggle. Day sales at both Christie’s and Sotheby’s were underwhelming, with numerous unsold lots and modest totals. However, evening sales were significantly more successful, particularly for Christie’s.