PREVIEW: JEWELLERY, WATCHES, SILVER & OBJECTS OF VERTU 12 SEPTEMBER

A stunning serpentine bracelet with intriguing links to the former Commander-in-Chief of India provides one of the highlights among the jewellery on 12 September.

Presented in its original case, the articulated body unusually detailed throughout with blue enamel and with an opal, diamond and ruby set head.

The bracelet was formerly the property of Sir Charles James Napier, (1782-1853), British general and Commander-in-Chief in India, famous for conquering the Sindh province of British India, (now in present-day Pakistan). The vendor of this bracelet is of direct descent, and it is estimated to fetch £3,000-5,000.

According to the note of provenance attached to the underside of the case, Sir Charles Napier had given the bracelet to ‘Grandmama Aberdare’. It had then passed down through the family to Alice Bruce, an aunt of the ultimate recipient, who had written the history on this note, as a wedding gift.

‘Grandmama Aberdare’ was Lady Nora Creina Blanche Bruce (1827-97), second wife of the 1st Baron Aberdare (1815-95), who became Lord President of the Council and Home Secretary under Gladstone, and daughter of Sir William Napier (1785-1860), the younger brother of Sir Charles. Both brothers fought in the Peninsular War, and both later rose to the rank of General.

While William wrote a definitive history of the Peninsular War, Charles pursued a military career, which included an appointment as Governor of Kefalonia and most famously the conquering of The Sindh Province in India as head of the British Army. Alice Bruce (1867-1951) was the youngest daughter of the Lord and Lady Aberdare, and granddaughter of Sir William Napier. A celebrated educationalist and administrator, she served as President of Aberdare Hall in Cardiff.

The sale includes an impressive selection of diamond rings, starting with a 3.10 carat brilliant-cut solitaire ring, Colour G, Clarity VVSI, estimated at £22,000-26,000, and a 6.54 carat solitaire ring estimated at £12,000-15,000. A rare Arts and Crafts pendant by James Cromer Watt, decorated with butterflies, is estimated at £1,500-2,000 and a late Victorian suite of silver jewels, engraved with enchanting Kate Greenaway scenes, in a fitted case, is expected to reach £2,000-3,000. 

Metal detectorist finds feature a 4th century Roman-British gold and chalcedony ring, is decorated with spiral shoulders, and expected to attract £2,500-3,000. 

The Objects of Vertu section includes a fine Private Collection of Gold Boxes. An exquisite English box, circa 1720, richly decorated throughout, with a hunting scene to the front, the reverse depicting a riverside scene of a crane wrestling a serpent, is estimated at £6,000-8,000.  A French early 19th century gold and enamel snuff box by Christian Petschler, in beautiful condition, is expected to realise £4,000-6,000, and a German gold slim cartouche-shaped box dating from the mid 19th century by Charles M. Weishaupt & Sohne of Hanau is engraved with a deer hunt and estimated at £2,200-3,000.