The auction, which stretched nearly four hours, attracted international bidders who fought over a 1905 Cartier brooch that sold for £48,000.
The collection, stashed in leather cases and velvet pouches, was unearthed by the late grandmother’s family while clearing the loft of her Malvern home. They had no idea the dusty boxes contained pieces worth more than three times their pre‑sale estimate.
Chorley’s Auctioneers had initially valued the 201 lots at about £150,000. Every lot found a buyer, giving the sale a 100 percent sell‑through rate and pushing the final hammer price to £506,750.
Other highlights included an early‑20th‑century pearl‑and‑diamond necklace that fetched £34,000 after lab tests confirmed natural saltwater pearls, a late Victorian sapphire‑diamond cluster ring that sold for £18,500, and Art Deco dress clips that combined for over £42,000.
Werner Freundel, director at Chorley’s, said the auction’s success stemmed from the collection’s pristine condition and documented private ownership. "The pieces remained in their original settings, untouched for decades," he noted, adding that such estates continue to attract strong prices.
The proceeds, amounting to £506,750, will now be distributed among the grandmother’s surviving heirs. The sale underscores the growing appeal of privately held estates to collectors seeking pieces with a clear provenance.