A stylish start to the Christmas jewellery and watch season with Boucheron and Patek Philippe at Dix Noonan Webb

The Christmas jewellery auctions in central London will get off to a stylish start at Dix Noonan Webb in Mayfair on 1 December 2016. The sale of Jewellery, Watches and Objects of Vertu will have an attractive mix of signed pieces, beautiful antique jewellery, natural pearls, 1970s designer works, Indian jewellery, and much more.

“We are very pleased to present our Christmas sale which, we hope, has something for everyone from the dedicated collector with an eye for a rarity to the buyer looking for a good investment and the Christmas shopper seeking a stylish gift for a loved one, ” says Frances Noble, Head of the Jewellery Department at Dix Noonan Webb, which has established itself as a significant presence in the market since the department was founded a year ago. “With quality pieces by top jewellers such as Boucheron, Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, and Lacloche, a private collection of iconic pieces by the modern designer Elizabeth Gage, watches by Patek Philippe, Rolex, Aspreys, and much more, the choice for our buyers is broad”.

One of the most stylish pieces in the auction is a 1950s gold and diamond leaf clip brooch made by the Parisian jewellers Boucheron. Its twisting wirework design, edged by brilliant-cut diamonds, is the epitome of French elegance and flair. The brooch, stamped with the maker’s name, is estimated at £2,200 to £2,600.

Attractive antique jewels include a Belle Epoque platinum and diamond ring expected to fetch £2,500-3,500. Its central cushion-shaped old brilliant-cut diamond millegrain collet is set within a garland surround of small diamonds. Classic natural pearls are never out of fashion, with a pair of 9mm diameter ear studs estimated at £3,000-5,000 and three further natural pearl necklaces in the sale.

1970s signed jewellery – an increasingly buoyant area of the market – features strongly. Two iconic suites by Elizabeth Gage, who won many awards including British Jewellery Designer of the Year, are being auctioned as separate lots. One suite, which incorporates the use of carved emeralds and cabochon rubies set into heavy textured gold mounts, comprises a dress ring estimated at £2,000-3,000, a clip brooch and a pair of ear pendants, the latter two lots each expected to sell for £1,500-2,000.

The sale also includes interesting pieces by makers such as Garrards, Mrs Newman, David Thomas and David Morris, and decorative arts jewellery by Charles Horner, the latter including an extensive private collection of hatpins. Scandinavian makers in the sale include Georg Jensen, Arne Johansen and Kaunis Koru, while the watches section of the auction features top names such as Patek Philippe, Rolex, Cartier, Aspreys and Dent.