Smiths Auctions in Newent are full of enthusiasm for their New Year auction on January 2-3, with over 1400 lots of antiques and collectables on offer. Since many people will still be off work over the New Year week, it could present an exciting chance to attend an auction in person for a change! The fully illustrated catalogue will be available online all over Christmas, giving everyone a chance to do a bit of window shopping beforehand.

The sale includes a wide variety of entries, including ceramics, glass, silver, jewellery, watches, furniture, pictures, postcards, books, toys and all sorts of furnishings and collectables. It also features a special section for coins, with an impressive selection of over forty gold coins, as well as plenty of silver and bronze examples - ranging from a 1932 Wreath Crown to a box of Roman coins – both expected to make around £200/£300.

The jewellery section is expected to provide some eventful highlights on the day with a wide ranging selection of antique, modern and costume jewellery.

A beautiful Victorian 15ct gold necklace suspended with five oval garnet set drops arrived at the saleroom in immaculate condition, even complete with its original box!

Antique jewellery is very collectable at present and this highly sought after item is expected to reach somewhere in the region of £1,800/£2,500. Other antique pieces include a pretty Edwardian pendant necklace set with pearls, peridot and amethysts – making up the colours of the suffragette movement. Suffragette jewellery is always popular and it should easily surpass it’s £100/£150 estimate.

Numerous other attractive Edwardian and Art Deco pendants are sure to entice a range of buyers, whilst a beautiful Arts & Crafts silver and moonstone pendant is also bound to prove irresistible to collectors. A variety of Art Deco inspired pieces include a very fine quality diamond set bracelet (thought to have been purchased by the vendor’s family at Asprey) estimated at £5,000/£7,000 and a fabulous diamond pave set brooch, which is expected to make around £1,500/£2,000. For those who like something a bit quirky or different - there is a good selection of eye catching vintage rings.

These include a decadent 1950’s inspired pearl and diamond cocktail ring, a Persian inspired emerald high grade gold ring and a ‘modernist movement’ sapphire and diamond ring – all estimated in the middle hundreds. Other high value items include a beautiful star burst diamond brooch estimated at £1,000/£1,500, a charming bee form diamond and sapphire brooch, which seems very reasonable at £100/£150 and an unusual Italian negligee necklace with two large pear cut coral drops estimated at £800/£1,200. The section also includes a range of affordable gold jewellery selling at around £50 to £100 as well as silver and costume jewellery with prices starting at just £10.

The ceramics and glass section of the sale is larger than usual and includes classic items such as Moorcroft and Worcester vases, as well as a selection of studio pottery and Border Fine Arts groups. A very cute Crown Ducal triangular Art Deco tea service will be a quirky bit of fun for somebody, whilst a pair of attractive Coalport vases painted chickens on a pink ground are sure to appeal to poultry enthusiasts.

The book section includes a First Edition (11th printing) of Tolkien’s ‘Return of the King’ which is sure to be snapped up by Tolkien fans, whilst an early 19th century John Cary map of Gloucester printed onto linen will be sure to attract map collectors – both are expected to make £100/£150.

The furniture section of the sale includes a good range of Ercol ‘Golden Dawn’ elm furniture including a dining suite, sideboard, television cabinet, studio couch etc. Ironically, these vintage pieces are currently much more popular than most antique furniture.

More traditional items include several Georgian chests of drawers, a 19th century French cherrywood farmhouse table and numerous sets of dining chairs. There are several useful collectors’ cabinets, as well as occasional tables, antique coffers and a fine Georgian mahogany sideboard – with many of these older items estimated around £100 or less, this is definitely the place to find a bargain or two on sale day.

The collectables section includes good ranges of toys, treen, textiles, rock and pop vinyl records, and numerous interesting curiosities which seem to find their way to Smiths salerooms month after month. For example, a selection of 19th century novelty wooden boxes includes a charming treen snuff box in the form of a boot estimated at £60/£80. An intriguing puzzle box in the form of a book and another puzzle snuff box can both prove testing to open until you have discovered the secret! Another entertaining collectable comes in the form of a Sony Aibo robot dog complete with it’s original box and estimated at £150/£250.

A reproduction cast iron penny farthing bicycle provided endless amusement to some of Smith’s braver staff who tried to ride it. In the end it seemed rather a challenge to even sit on it - so it is probably better to be used as a decorative item rather than a potential mode of transportation!

Viewing will be on Monday, December 30 10am-5pm and Tuesday, December 31 10am to 3pm. The saleroom will be closed on New Year’s Day but there will be a chance for a last minute look on the morning of the sale days 9am-to 10am. The catalogue is available online at www.smithsnewentauctions.co.uk