Annual Auction Highlights

Catherine's Highlight

Although the actual Cartier box itself was very simple in its form, the story behind it was fascinating and powerful. The cigarette box was one of only twelvecommissioned by John and Yoko to commemorate the launch of the Double Fantasty album. Shortly after the boxes were finished by Cartier Lennon sadly died but Yoko kept his wish and sent all twelve to the intended recipients. The box that we sold was given to the manager of the Bank of Tokyo and had a letter from the Ono and Lennon studio from 1980. It attracted an enormous amount of press interest and eventually sold for £13,000 (+BP).

David's Highlight

My favourite item was the early 20th century replica of the Alfred Jewel. The original Anglo-Saxon jewel was ploughed up in a Somerset field in 1693 and can now be found in the Ashmoleon Museum. Our example in our May sale by Payne & Son of Oxford was in its original fitted case with numbered paperwork, selling for £3,500 (+BP).

Tom's Highlight

Whilst not being a feline enthusiast...my favourite lot for the year was these cats! Maybe because for that reason! Never the less these were a good and unusual example of eccentric Victorian hunting trophies, rare to find a cat let alone a pair and well modelled in very wonderfully expressive poses more normally seen in cases of big cats! 

Hammer price: £2,100 (+BP).

Steven's Highlight

My favourite lot of the year is an Austrian 18 carat gold and enamel Imperial Order of the Iron Crown neck badge, which was one of the highlights I auctioneered during my very first sale for Catherine Southon in November. Exuding elegance and power, it is a fine illustrative reminder of the complexities and intrigues of European history- the famous doubleheaded Hapsburg eagle perfectly representing the 1867 foundation of Austria-Hungary, an empire that also rose & fell through war & bloodshed, the order being abolished at the end of WWI when Europe was yet again re-drawn.

Hammer price: £2,200 (+BP).

Albert's Highlight

As a lover of modern British & contemporary art, this silkscreen by Wilhemena Barns-Graham stood out as my lot of the year for its aesthetic magnetism. Showcasing vibrant abstraction, precision, and a rhythmic interplay of colour and form, it exudes a timeless sense of movement and captivating energy.

Hammer price: £900 (+BP)

Katherine's Highlight

This captivating pendant, deceptively simple in form, carries with it a wealth of history. Crafted in the shape of a question mark , set with old-cut diamonds and finished with a lustrous pearl terminal, it was a token of affection bestowed by bachelors as a symbol of sentiment and attraction. Reflecting the romanticism of Victorian England, the design cleverly evokes the intimate moment of courtship - its question mark embodying the very essence of proposal, poised to 'pop the question'. 

This piece offers a glimpse into the tender gestures of love during a bygone era.

Hammer price: £380 (+BP) 

Dawn's Highlight

This necklace has an openwork seed pearl design (claw-set at intervals) with nine oval turquoise cabochons; suspending a detachable multi seed pearl tassel with onyx bead terminals. I love the movement, construction and time spent making this piece which shows that something can be beautiful as a piece of jewellery without being made of precious metal and diamond. 

Hammer price: £1,700 (+BP)

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