A recent sale at Dix Noonan Webb (20% buyer’s premium) included a private collection of antique jewels, gold and enamelled boxes and pocket watches.

Extracted from Antiques Trade Gazette | ATG Reporter

Pieces by leading 19th century jewellery designers such as Giuliano, Castellani, John Brogden and Robert Phillips were topped by this carved hardstone cameo pendant, left.

The subject is unusual – the torso of an African warrior, carrying a bow and quiver of arrows – and the carving exemplary.

Mounted within an opal and rose-cut diamond border, it attracted plenty of admirers at the auction on June 18 including the dealer and the private collector who provided the concluding bids.

The former won at £9600 – eight times its pre-sale estimate.