Arts and Crafts necklace to shine in sale

A rare Arts & Crafts necklace, discovered on a jewellery valuation day by a Dorset auction house is set to appear in a specialist jewellery sale this month.

According to Charterhouse Auctions the necklace is almost certainly designed by Charles Robert Ashbee, the founder of the Guild and School of Handicraft in the East End of London.

The item is offered in its original fitted Guild and School of Handicraft leather and silk box, and it dates to circa 1900.

It is being sold at Charterhouse on October 31 and estimated at £1,000-2,000.

“Quite honestly, this is the most wonderful necklace I have seen in 40 years of auctioneering,” commented Richard Bromell. “Despite being made of silver and not gold or platinum, the design, quality and condition of this piece is outstanding.”