As 2025 draws to a close, it’s time to reflect on another extraordinary year in the saleroom. From rare antiques to dazzling jewellery, this year has been filled with wonderful items and excellent results for our vendors! Here’s a month-by-month look at some of the standout moments that made 2025 unforgettable.
The year began with a flying success as a private collection of World War II Dambusters memorabilia tripled its pre-sale estimate, achieving a hammer price of £24,000. Among the 54 lots commemorating Wing Commander Guy Gibson and the daring 617 Squadron, the highlight was a pair of RAF cloth wings displayed in an engraved silver-plated frame. Estimated at £1,000–£1,500, they sold for an impressive £4,200 and were even featured on BBC News at Six!
Afternoon tea took on a global twist in February when an elegant silver four-piece tea set from Colombia sold for £1,000. With silver prices hitting record levels this year, demand for all types of silverware has soared. So, whether your silver hails from Bogota or Birmingham, it’s always worth getting a valuation if you’re thinking of selling.
March brought a touch of Arts & Crafts style to the saleroom with a walnut secretaire selling for £6,000. Commissioned by Arthur Mitchell, a leading patron of the Cotswolds Arts & Crafts movement, and crafted by renowned Dutch cabinet maker Peter Waals, this piece was a wedding gift for Mitchell’s daughter. Passed down through generations, it found a new home with a delighted bidder in our spring Fine and Decorative Art auction, where we showcase the finest items consigned to the saleroom.
A local consigner was bowled over in April when a Chinese porcelain bowl sparked a global bidding battle, selling for £11,200. Made during the reign of the Daoguang Emperor (1821–1850), the bowl’s intricate floral pattern and five orange bats on the interior captivated global collectors, despite its small size and a visible hairline crack.
In May, a hand-built longcase clock by Leicester craftsman P G Bradley chimed with bidders, achieving a final price of £2,000. Combining a 1996 pendulum mechanism with a 1920s oak case, this piece exemplified the timeless appeal of fine craftsmanship.
June saw the sale of an 18-carat yellow gold wristwatch by Patek Philippe, arguably the most coveted of all the luxury Swiss watchmakers. This stunning timepiece sold for £9,000, highlighting a consistently high demand for luxury watches in our Jewellery and Watches auctions.
Dining in style was the theme of July, as a collection of silver flatware featuring a 19th-century fiddle pattern sold for £1,900. With silver prices remaining high, it’s always worth exploring whether your silver tableware could achieve more at auction than as scrap with a free, no-obligation valuation.
August brought a unique highlight with a scale model of a ship’s engine room selling for £7,300. Part of our timed online Scale Model Railway, Live Steam and Aero Engines auction, this intricate piece may not hold much appeal to the untrained eye, but it demonstrated the passion of dedicated collectors for such specialised pieces.
High-octane glamour took centre stage in September with a suite of 18-carat gold natural yellow sapphire and diamond jewellery by René Boivin selling for £15,000. Known for impeccable craftsmanship and sculptural designs, Boivin’s creations remain highly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs alike.
A rare silver jug in the shape of a bear roared to success in October, doubling its upper estimate to go under the hammer for an incredible £17,000. Made in 1875 by renowned silversmith Robert Hennell, this quirky and intricately detailed piece captured the attention of bidders on the very day global silver prices hit record levels.
November saw a modern-day gold rush as a 1997 UK Gold Proof Four Coin Sovereign Collection sold for £5,500. With collectors and investors battling it out for gold coins, it demonstrated the unprecedented demand for precious metals which is set to continue into 2026.
This large garden statue of a seated Labrador became a standout moment in our final Antiques & Collectors auction of 2025, sparking fierce competition among bidders.
Garden ornaments and furniture of exceptional quality often make their way through our saleroom, offering the perfect chance to find something truly unique. If you’re planning to refresh your outdoor space for summer 2026, don’t forget to sign up for our emails to stay informed about upcoming auction catalogues.
Again showing the huge appetite for gold, 2025’s top lot was a solid gold cigar box. This 1964 18-carat gold box, weighing 432g and engraved with a crest, sold for an incredible £21,000!
As we reflect on the incredible results of 2025, particularly when it comes to the consistently high results achieved for precious metals, we’re excited to see what treasures 2026 will bring! Whether you’re considering selling a family heirloom, a unique antique, a piece of fine jewellery or something completely different, our specialists are here to provide free, no-obligation valuations. Get in touch to uncover the potential of your hidden treasures as we make 2026 another year to remember!
