2025 in Review: Standout Results and Specialist Favourites


December 2025

As we look back on 2025, it has been a year shaped not only by strong prices, but by the variety and quality of objects entrusted to our salerooms. Alongside headline results, many lots stood out for the stories they told, the research they demanded, or simply the delight they gave our team along the way.

For each category below, we highlight both the highest sale price of the year and a Valuer’s Choice lot - an object that captured particular attention for its craftsmanship, rarity or character.

Fine Art

The Fine Art highlight of the year was John Atkinson Grimshaw’s Whitby from Scotch Head, painted in 1886 during one of the most celebrated phases of the artist’s career. Whitby was a subject Grimshaw returned to repeatedly between the late 1860s and 1880s, and this example shows his mastery of atmosphere, light and architectural distance. The painting came with a strong provenance and scholarly support from Alexander Robertson, the leading authority on Grimshaw’s work, and achieved a hammer price of £55,000, underlining the continuing demand for his most evocative coastal scenes.

Equally significant within the department was an oil attributed to Dame Ethel Walker, Mixed Bouquet. While quieter in tone, this painting carried considerable importance. As our Head of Fine Art Dom explains, “This was one of the final paintings sold from the largest collection of pictures we have ever handled, and it was also the one that achieved the highest price. It more than doubled the previous auction record for Ethel Walker.” The result, a sale price of £24,500, reflected growing recognition of Walker’s contribution to British modern painting and the value of well provenanced examples.

Asian Art

The strongest Asian Art result of the year came from a pair of Kangxi period blue and white porcelain vases. Painted with tranquil outdoor scenes of scholars reading scrolls among willow trees and rockwork, the vases combined confident decoration with elegant form. Interest came from both UK and international bidders, and the pair achieved £4,200, reinforcing the enduring appeal of high quality Kangxi porcelain.

For specialist valuer Holly, however, the most memorable piece was a Japanese Meiji period gold lacquer inro by Minsetsusai Kyūho. Decorated with a peacock in maki-e lacquer and finished with a nashiji interior, it represented exceptional craftsmanship. “This is a superb example and truly one of a kind,” she notes. “It took a significant amount of research to identify the artist, and I’m genuinely sad that I may not see another like it.” The inro sold for £2,500 and demonstrated how specialist research can unlock both value and appreciation.

We welcome entries of Chinese, Japanese and Korean works of art for our forthcoming sales in 2026.

Jewellery

The Jewellery Lot of the Year was a spectacular nineteenth century diamond and pearl en tremblant detachable brooch. Centred by an old cut diamond of approximately 1.90 carats and surrounded by a further array of old and rose cut stones, the brooch combined technical virtuosity with theatrical movement. Selling for £10,000, it demonstrated the enduring demand for high quality antique jewellery with presence and originality.

Head of Jewellery & Watches Charlie selected a rare Queen Anne gold memento mori ring as her standout lot of 2025, with it's age, rarity and powerful symbolism making it so memorable. Selling for £1,600 and set with three pearls, the black enamelled shank reveals a gold skeleton beneath the inscription memento mori, with a skull and crossed pick and shovel below. “This ring stood out because of its rarity and age, but also for the symbolism it carries,” explains Charlie. “Memento mori jewellery was deeply embedded in the beliefs of the period, serving as a personal reminder of mortality, faith and remembrance."

Interiors

Interior of the Year was awarded to a pair of George III ormolu and cut glass wall lights, richly adorned with faceted drops, scrolled branches and pineapple finials. Elegant and theatrical, the pair achieved £14,500, underlining continued demand for statement lighting with period presence.

For furniture expert Nicholas, a set of six 1970s Kazuhide Takahama ‘Kazuki’ dining chairs stood out. “Takahama’s restrained minimalism offers a sense of uniformity that traditional dining chairs often lack,” he explains. “They sit beautifully in modern interiors.” The chairs sold for £3,000.

We are now inviting furniture, lighting and interior pieces for upcoming sales.

Antiquarian Books

The Antiquarian Book highlight of 2025 was a first edition, first issue 1611 King James ‘He’ Bible. Monumental in scale and influence, this example retained its original misprint in Ruth 3:15 and sold for £23,000, reflecting its importance as one of the most influential books in the English language.

Equally cherished was William Camden’s Britannia, a complete first edition of 1695 with engraved maps and plates in contemporary calf. Specialist Valuer Coralie notes, “Britannia is really one of the cornerstones of English topography. To have a complete first edition still in its original binding was hugely exciting. It’s a landmark work in how Britain first began to see and record itself.” The book sold for £900.

Musical Instruments

The Musical Instrument of the Year was a mid eighteenth century Johannes Schnetzler chamber organ, thought to be the oldest surviving example in Britain. With historic associations and exceptional survival, it sold for £11,000.

Specialist Valuer Chloe’s choice was a modern Rickenbacker Model 360 electric guitar. “Rickenbacker played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of rock and pop music,” she explains. “It was great to include a modern example alongside historic instruments.” It sold for £1,800.

Consignments of musical instruments of all are now invited.

Militaria

Militaria Lot of the Year was a medal group awarded to Colonel S.C.F Jackson of the Hampshire Regiment. Carefully preserved and historically significant, the group sold for £4,200.

Militaria expert Jess selected a set of WWII medals belonging to Leslie Scot, including extremely rare WWII SAARF Parachute Jump Wing, as her Valuer’s Choice. “An amazing bit of history that could so easily be overlooked,” she explains. “It’s a real hidden treasure that unlocks a piece of family history.” It achieved £2,100.

Coins

Coin of the Year went to a King Charles III Tristan da Cunha 2023 gold proof £50 coin, which sold for £8,600 and highlighted the strength of the modern numismatic market.

Coin expert Dom’s favourite was the 1989 ‘500th Anniversary of the First Gold Sovereign’ proof collection. “With a mintage of just 5,000, this is a very rare and desirable set,” he notes. “We were fortunate to handle two in 2025.” One achieved £6,200.

Consignments of coins, banknotes and stamps are now invited.

Watches

A Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date from circa 1970 claimed Timepiece of the Year. Crafted in 18ct gold and presented on a President bracelet, the watch achieved £6,600, reaffirming the market’s continued confidence in iconic Rolex models.

This eighteenth century 18ct gold fusee lever full hunter pocket watch stood out to Charlie for the richness of its decorative case. Worked in repoussé, the front depicts figures gathered beneath a tree with sheep in the background, framed by an enamelled leaf border, while the reverse presents a classical scene with figures and horses. Achieving £1,900, the watch demonstrated the continued appeal of decorative eighteenth century timepieces that combine horology with fine craftsmanship. Head of Jewellery & Watches Charlie says "It’s a strong example of eighteenth century decorative work, with finely modelled scenes that elevate the watch beyond its function as a timepiece. Pieces like this show how pocket watches were also objects of status and artistry, intended to be admired as much as they were used.”

Popular Culture

The Popular Culture highlight of the year was a signed Wings at the Speed of Sound vinyl and associated cards, featuring personal messages and signatures from Paul and Linda McCartney and band members. The group sold for £3,200, appealing to collectors of music history and memorabilia alike.

Chloe’s Valuer’s Choice was a signed Only Fools and Horses promotional photograph. “It’s instantly recognisable,” she says, “and a great gift for any fan of the show.” It sold for £100.

We welcome music, film and television memorabilia for upcoming auctions.

Decorative Objects

The Decorative Object of the Year was a rare and remarkable Dunhill Sporting Horse Racing ‘Aquarium’ table lighter, commissioned in 1955 to celebrate the Royal Hunt Cup victory of Nicholas Nickleby at Ascot. Combining reverse intaglio engraving, hand painting and a compelling personal provenance, the lighter told a story far beyond its form. Its sale at £12,500 reflected the market’s appetite for one off commissions with narrative depth and historical resonance.

Alongside this, specialist valuer Holly was particularly drawn to a Sèvres déjeuner ‘Bleu turquoise’ tea service dating from 1782. Decorated with portraits of French courtiers and painted by Charles-Eloi Asselin, the service carried an added layer of human history. “In terms of tea services, it doesn’t get better than this,” she explains. “We had a wonderful discovery midway through condition checking when a handwritten note was found tucked inside the wrong teapot. It added new details about the service and showed just how carefully it had been preserved and appreciated over generations.” The service achieved £3,400.

Silver

The Silver Lot of the Year was a late twentieth century canteen of silver cutlery for twelve place settings, hallmarked Sheffield 1996. Complete, practical and well presented, it achieved £4,700.

Silver expert Chloe’s choice was an Arts and Crafts silver rabbit caddy spoon by Henry George Murphy. “It was a really special find,” she says. “Adorable, beautifully made and full of charm.” The spoon sold for £550.

We welcome silver across all periods for future auctions.

Porcelain

The Porcelain highlight of the year was a large and impressive eighteenth century Meissen dish, richly decorated with a central chinoiserie scene framed by gilt scrollwork, Böttger lustre and iron red detailing. Around the rim, four Kauffahrtei panels depict merchants and figures by a quayside, a subject closely associated with Meissen’s most ambitious tablewares. With its scale, complexity and strong visual impact, the dish attracted sustained interest and sold for £6,200.

Equally compelling was a turn of the century Royal Worcester oval plaque painted by Harry Davis, showing pigs and piglets watering at a stone trough. Specialist valuer Dannielle explains, “Pigs are an exceptionally rare subject in Royal Worcester decoration. Harry Davis was the only artist approved to paint them, and most known examples follow the same composition, taken from a sketch he made during a single visit to a local farm.” The plaque achieved £5,400, reflecting both its rarity and the growing appreciation for narrative Worcester cabinet pieces.

Toys & Models

The Toys & Models highlight of 2025 was a carved and painted wooden hunting group attributed to Frank Whittington of Forest Toys, Brockenhurst. Full of movement and charm, the group sold for £1,300.

In contrast, Chloe’s Valuer’s Choice was a 2005 Rubie’s Darth Vader costume. “It terrified people as they came into the saleroom,” she recalls. “A real talking point.” It sold for £55.

We welcome toys, models and collectibles for forthcoming auctions.
From major fine art to unique furnishings, 2025 has shown that strong results are driven by quality, story and expertise. As we look ahead, our specialists are already welcoming entries and are happy to advise on timing, placement and potential for 2026 auctions.
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