PREVIEW: JEWELLERY, WATCHES, SILVER AND OBJECTS OF VERTU: 10 SEPTEMBER

Fine diamonds feature strongly in Noonans’ Autumn sale. A diamond pendant, the Type IIa marquise-cut diamond, weighing 3.30 carats, of D colour and VVS2 clarity, leads the sale and is estimated to fetch £30,000-50,000. A stunning diamond ring, set with a brilliant-cut weighing 6.02 carats, mounted between baguette-cut diamonds shoulders, forms another striking highlight at £20,000-30,000.

A further diamond ring, mounted with a step-cut diamond, weighing 3.27 carats, set between half-moon-shaped diamonds, platinum mounted, carries a guide price is £10,000-15,000 and a stylish early 20th century diamond pendant, comprising an old brilliant-cut diamond suspending an old cushion-cut diamond below, weighing 4.12 carats, is expected to sell for £6,000-8,000.

Pick of the Objects of Vertu is a Russian Imperial jewelled 14 carat gold presentation cigarette case, St Petersburg, post 1908, bearing maker’s mark for Gabriel Nykänen (Niukkanen). Of rounded rectangular form, it is decorated throughout with bands of reeding, the hinged cover applied with a diamond-set crowned Imperial double-headed eagle, with cabochon sapphire thumbpiece, contained in fitted case by jewellers A. Tillander.

Gabriel Nykänen is known to have worked in St Petersburg from 1889-1917, both independently and as a workmaster for Fabergé.

Inside the lid is engraved in script: ‘Please accept this little remembrance fm. Maria 1913’

According to documentation provided by auctioneers Geoff H. Gray Pty. Limited of Sydney, who sold the cigarette case in a Private Collection in 1978, the cigarette case was presented by the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna, Consort of Czar Alexander III, to the wife of Admiral N. C. Palmer RN, Captain of the Royal Yacht Victoria & Albert from August 1909 - December 1913. He was appointed Naval Aide-Camp to King George V on 4 June 1913 and Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (V.C.O) on 13 October 1913.

The Empress Maria Feodorovna visited England every summer after 1907. Her sister, Queen Alexandra, Consort of King Edward VII, would similarly travel to Denmark each year for family reunions. British newspaper articles in August 1913 reference the Empress’s summer visit to England on the Royal Yacht. It would have been usual practice for the Empress to distribute gifts in thanks for kindnesses and faithful service. The cigarette case is estimated at £5,000-7,000.

Among the watches on offer at this auction is a c.1991 stainless steel automatic dual time zone Rolex wristwatch, complete with booklets, spare link and presentation case at £6,500-7,500.