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![The Copper-Plate Magazine, or Monthly Cabinet of Picturesque Prints, London, n.d. [circa 1800], circa 140 plates, with guards](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/7f740fe8-0ef9-4bec-ba43-a687009f4f06/00f69f8e-b20b-4ec9-bd78-30bdc8b3e2cb/468x382.jpg)
Lot 1770
A rare yellow diamond, enamel and yellow gold ring, last quarter 17th century The cushion-shaped old brilliant-cut yellow diamond weighs 3.16 carats and is set within the raised box bezel with engrailed edges above arcading filled with stylised acanthus enamelled white with black details, each shoulder chased with an auricular scroll, formerly enamelled, to the plain hoop, the interior of the plain closed back setting lined with black pitch to heighten the golden tint of the stone. Probably English. Accompanied by report number 2175692368 dated 21st June 2016 from GIA, New York stating that the round-cornered square modified brilliant cut diamond weighs 3.16cts, is a natural, even fancy deep brownish yellow colour with SI2 clarity with strong yellow fluorescence. COMMENTARY BY DIANA SCARISBRICK This fine and rare ring set with a brilliant-cut diamond marks a milestone in gemmological history, resulting from the discovery of the laws of refraction and analytical geometry during the second half of the seventeenth century. Until 1664, when the earliest brilliant-cut diamond, the Wittelsbach, is recorded, diamonds were cut as either point, table or rose-cutsâ„–. This new multi-faceted technique of cutting released so much more fire and light that Robert de Berquen, in Les Merveilles des Indes Orientales (Paris 1669), compared it with "the sun, shining out amongst all other stones". At the same time, the supply of Golconda diamonds from India increased substantially, encouraged principally by the desire of Louis XIV to make his court at Versailles the most splendid in Europe. Across the Channel, by 1695, London had emerged as the centre of the European trade in diamonds due to the gemmological and financial skills of the resident Portuguese Jewish experts. In addition, as far as cutting and polishing were concerned, although the Dutch lapidaries excelled at rose-cut diamonds, the London workshops were acknowledged as the masters of the new brilliant-cut. It is highly significant that the 410 carat Pitt Diamond acquired by the Regent of France was brilliant-cut by Joseph Cope in London 1704-1706. This superiority is confirmed by the auction catalogue of the precious stones of the Chevalier de la Rocque (1745): "celle de l'Angleterre est plus reguliиre, plus nette et plus vive: et par consequйnt plus estimйe" (English cutting is more regular, more precise and more lively and therefore of higher value)І. These words could equally well be applied to this impeccable ring with its wonderful play of light. During this period, before the discovery of the mines in Brazil in 1727, stones of this size were rare and as in most cases jewellers had to make the best of small stones grouped together in clusters, the survival of a solitaire is exceptional. Not only is the faceting apparently English, but also the setting, which differs from late 17th century French mounts which are more elaborately decorated and richly enamelledÑ–. Furthermore, the simplified design in this example accords with the change of fashion, marking the turn of the century towards minimally enamelled and less massive settings; thus, not detracting from the splendour of the gem but showing it off to best advantage. Since grander social events were now taking place at night due to improvement in candle lighting, the effect of this diamond displayed on the finger of a high ranking lady or gentleman would have been extraordinary, eclipsing all other stones. © DIANA SCARISBRICK: August 2016 1. Tillander, H., Diamond Cuts in Historic Jewellery , 1995 p.155 2 Gersaint, E F, Catalogue Raisonnй des differens effets curieux et rare contenus dans le cabinet de feu M le Chevalier de la Roque , Paris 1745 3 Scarisbrick, D, Rings, Symbols of Wealth, Power and Affection, 1993, pp92-93, and p98 DIANA SCARISBRICK, MA, FSA Diana Scarisbrick is a world-renowned art historian specializing in the history of jewellery and engraved gems Her extensive research covers jewels from the Renaissance to the present day and she has contributed to numerous exhibitions, catalogues and art journals worldwide She is Research Associate at the Beazley Archive, Institute for Classical and Byzantine Studies, Oxford University, and was elected Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries in 1987
Lot 134
A 19th century German Grunderzeit period walnut display cabinet, the glazed upper portion with moulded cornice over a plain frieze above a pair of fluted pilasters flanking a pair of doors enclosing a shelved and mirrored, cream interior, the projecting lower portion with full width slide above a single drawer and a pair of doors all with carved panels, the whole set on bun feet to the front and block feet at the rear, 195cm high by 104cm wide by 54cm deep
Lot 12
A 19th Century hand decorated Meissen porcelain Figure, the female carrying a woven basket of flowers above her head and one further basket hanging from her left arm, blue painted cross swords mark to underside of base and impressed marks, together with a Meissen Cabinet Cup and Saucer encrusted with flowers and also with blue painted cross swords mark to underside, the Figure 15cm high (3 pieces)
Lot 20
A fine 19th Century Continental porcelain Cabinet Plate with reticulated border and central decoration of exotic birds surrounded by floral garlands and six oval vignettes individually decorated with flowers and various fruits etc., blue painted mark and original oval paper label verso, 23.5cm diameter
Lot 462
A collection of over 45 vintage Fountain Pens including examples from the early 1900's, cased Pen and Pencil sets and a number of silver Yard O Led Propelling Pencils, also included are boxed Waterman's Ideal (c1910), Parker Lucky Curve (c1918), early 20th Century Wahl, Swan Leverless (c1930's), Parker Vest Pocket Duofold Pen and Pencil set (1930's), boxed Parker 51 Blue Diamond sterling silver cap Pen and Pencil set (c1942) and a further boxed Parker 51 Pen and Pencil set (c1950's), a boxed Parker 61 Consort with gold filled cap and sterling silver |Parker 75 Cisele, this collection also includes a large number of early Conway Stewart, Onoto, Wyvern and Mabie Todd, William IV silver Pencil and Victorian silver combo Pen/Pencil, six vintage Yard O Led silver Propelling Pencils (2 boxed) and a number of vintage Nibs in original boxes, all housed within a modern mahogany Collector's Cabinet with two doors enclosing two banks of sixteen short drawers and a small three drawer leather bound cabinet together with the Reference Manual "Fountain Pens of the World" by Andreas Lambrou
Lot 649
An antique Cassone style oak Cabinet, the cleated planked top above a redundant central keyhole to the carved arcaded frieze, central hinged door below carved in early style with a charioteer carrying sword and shield, the door flanked by 17th Century style verticals and headed with masks, the lower outset moulding with carved arcading and with lower running Guilloche style decoration and above a protruding lower moulding, carved panelled sides and together with one further associated separate carved panel, the Cabinet 133cm wide x 64cm deep x 78cm high
Lot 650
A fine 19th Century (in 17th Century Italianate style) ebonised Cabinet on Stand, the hinged top opening to reveal central mirror flanked by painted vignettes and above two panelled doors opening to reveal a multitude and variety of varying sized drawers within, the central cupboard door with decorative interior mirrored vignette, further over a single flush drawer below and raised on barley twist style legs united by a cross-frame stretcher having central reserve, 56cm wide x 122cm high
Lot 660
A large early 19th Century Dutch walnut and marquetry Display Cabinet on Chest, the cornice centrally surmounted with a foliate style carving above a pair of shaped doors with astragal glazing bars, an arrangement of two half width over two full width graduated bow fronted and cushion shaped drawers, shaped apron and on outset legs, the whole profusely covered in a floral marquetry, with gilt brass handles and escutcheons etc., 154cm wide x 225cm high
Lot 664
A Regency period rosewood Sofa Table, gadrooned lower edge, two flush freeze drawers (stamped to interiors Sadler & Gardiner, Cabinet makers, No. 28 Aldgate), the unusual double waisted stem leading to a platform base with four downswept legs terminating in foliate cast brass castors, 93cm wide (leaves down)
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