Stuart Devlin’s unique design proves a surprise nest egg at auction

One of two cased Stuart Devlin silver gilt surprise eggs that sold for £4400 at 1818 Auctions. This example was hallmarked for London 1968 and opened to reveal a cushion cut kunzite in a silver gilt coronet. It came in a retailer’s box for Collingwood of Conduit Street.

Two cased Stuart Devlin silver gilt surprise eggs of unique designs sold for £4400 at 1818 Auctions (20% buyer’s premium) in Milnthorpe on April 1.

Extracted from Antiques Trade Gazette | ATG Reporter

One of two cased Stuart Devlin silver gilt surprise eggs that sold for £4400 at 1818 Auctions. This example was hallmarked for London 1968 and opened to reveal a cushion cut kunzite in a silver gilt coronet. It came in a retailer’s box for Collingwood of Conduit Street.

One hallmarked for London 1968, opening to reveal a cushion cut kunzite in a silver gilt coronet, came in a retailer’s box for Collingwood of Conduit Street.

The second opened to reveal a trio of amethyst crystals in a gilt nest style surround, in a case retailed by Cartier.

Key to their appeal – and a price way above the £200-500 typically commanded by Devlin surprise eggs – was a personal letter from Stuart Devlin confirming their unique design along with signed photographs and an original receipt.