LONDON.- Headlining Bellmans’ Fine Jewellery & Watches Auction on Thursday, 20 November, is an exquisite sapphire and diamond ring featuring a certified Kashmir sapphire — one of the rarest and most coveted gemstones in the world. It carries an estimate of £20,000 - £30,000.

The octagonal step-cut sapphire, weighing 3.24 carats, is confirmed by both the Swiss Gemmological Institute (SSEF) and The Gemmological Certification Services, Bond Street (GCS) as being of natural Kashmir origin, with no indications of heating.
Mounted in platinum, the central sapphire is elegantly framed by baguette, old cut and transitional cut diamonds, enhancing the gem’s remarkable depth of colour and refined brilliance. The ring, size I with two sizing beads, has a gross weight of 8.3 grams.

Coveted for their legendary velvety blue hue and extreme rarity, Kashmir sapphires rank among the most desirable gemstones ever discovered. This exceptional example represents a rare opportunity for collectors to acquire a jewel of enduring beauty and historical significance.

The Modern & Contemporary Art Auction on Tuesday, 19 November showcases an exceptional range of works by major British, European, and international artists. The sale spans painting, sculpture, and glass, offering collectors a broad and dynamic survey of 20th and 21st century creativity.

French Impressionism and Post-Impressionism



A highlight of the auction is Henri Lebasque’s Femme Cousant (1893), a beautifully intimate interior scene exemplifying the artist’s luminous palette and soft handling of light. Exhibited at the Paris Expositions des Indépendants and later at Arthur Tooth & Sons in London, this work carries impressive provenance and literature references including Vitry’s 1928 monograph and Bazetoux’s 2008 Catalogue Raisonné. It is estimated at £15,000–25,000.

Lebasque’s second work in the sale, Pont sur La Marne, offers a tranquil riverside view and further demonstrates the artist’s mastery of colour and composition, carrying an estimate of £8,000–12,000.

British Abstraction and St Ives School

The auction includes two works by Peter Lanyon (1918–1964), a key figure of the St Ives movement. Cliff Grass (1961), a dynamic gouache exhibited at London’s Whitechapel Art Gallery in 1962, captures the energy of Cornwall’s rugged landscape and is estimated at £15,000–20,000. White Square, New Jersey (1962), executed during Lanyon’s time in America, offers a striking contrast in form and tone (estimate £10,000–15,000).

The sale also includes Wilhelmina Barns-Graham’s Pink (1954), a vibrant abstract composition from the Barns-Graham Trust (estimate £7,000–10,000).

Contemporary Sculpture and Glass

Among the contemporary highlights is Jean-Michel Othoniel’s Amant Suspendu Aquamarine et Cristal (2021), composed of Murano glass, crystal, and stainless steel. Exhibited at Perrotin Gallery, Hong Kong, in 2022, the work carries an estimate of £12,000–18,000.

Pop Culture and British Icons

Perhaps the most distinctive lot of the sale is Sir Peter Blake’s Hound Dog (Gromit, Nothing but a Hound-Dog), a one-off painted fibreglass sculpture created for the 2013 Gromit Unleashed public art trail. Standing over a metre tall and accompanied by its original Certificate of Pedigree, this unique work combines two British cultural icons – Blake and Aardman Animations – and represents a rare opportunity to acquire a true piece of popular art history. It is expected to fetch £20,000 - £30,000.