Welcome to John Rolfe Auctions, a new saleroom based in Tetbury, Gloucestershire which was started by auctioneer John Rolfe in 2022.
Hello, my name is John. Having spent a lifetime in the antique trade (son of a dealer), the last 20 years I have been working up from a porter to head valuer and auctioneer. Now with my experience from shop floor to top table I feel ready and rather excited about this independent venture.
I have worked in all areas of antiques, design and collectables. Being head valuer one has to be able to spot quality across the board. We will certainly be able to assist in any area whether it be:
Jewellery - Silver - Watches - Clocks - Modern Art & Design - Decorative Arts - Pictures & Paintings - Asian art - Ceramics - Glass…
To me it is important that an auction house is as accessible as possible. Be gone the days of the pompous auctioneer in his bow tie and monocle, antiques and collecting should be for all. I want to keep hold of the traditional values that I hold so dear but welcome the modern advances that continue to revolutionise the industry.
The things I pride myself on are honesty, service and quality. If we can provide you with those things and perhaps a smile then I will be completely content.
See you at the sale.
Asprey, London, an 18ct gold engine-turned cigarette case with sliding covers, hallmarks for Asprey & Co Ltd, London 1936, approx. 11.5cm x 8.5cm, 190g including the steel hinge and clasp spring
about Lot 126
A mid 20th century 18ct gold cased pocket lighter by Garrard & Co Ltd, 112 Regent St, W1, with engine-turned covers, a flip-top, roller flint strike and base petrol reservoir-screw, hallmarks for Garrard & Co, London 1957, approx. 5.2cm high, 3.5cm wide, 80g gross
about Lot 270
Large and Impressive Chinese Qianlong period Zitan and jade table screen, inlaid with an ancient pine tree and calligraphy to the reverse with two red wax seal marks, believed to be linked to an imperial temple, slotted into a well carved framework with bat motif, 90 x 115cm in total A number of jade pieces that frame the calligraphy are off, we have a bag of the bits, two or three pieces missing from the pine tree decoration. From a estate cleared in Somerset
about Lot 1
Cartier Panthere Vendome, a lady's 18ct gold watch, with diamond set bezel and bracelet, 24mm case, ivory coloured dial with Roman numerals, diamond set crown, quartz movement not currently running, 67.5g gross, Cartier pouch no papers
about Lot 8
Royal Interest - A late Victorian / Edwardian gold, enamel and gem set Prince of Wales stick pin, set with tiny cabochon emeralds and rubies and throughout with old-cut and rose cut diamonds and with a blue enamel ribbon moto 'Ich Dien', unmarked, the crown approx. 16mm high 15mm wide, 3.7g gross, in a maroon silk and velvet lined Morocco case
about Lot 233
A rare silver and nephrite jade table vesta/match case in the form of a tortoise, the nephrite shell naturalistically carved and with an inner silver rim, the oval tortoise base with a head and four feet, marked beneath 'Frank Hyams Ltd, 128 New Bond St, W' and with hallmarked for Frank Hyams Ltd, London 1904, approx. 3.5cm high, 8cm long overall, approx. 95g gross
about Lot 310
A charming novelty silver frog three piece cruet, comprising salt, pepper, and mustard, the mustard with hinged mouth and gilt interior with mustard spoon tongue, maker William Comyns, London 2005, the mustard 8cm high, 23.7oz gross
about Lot 260
Two Chinese porcelain blue and white dishes, imperial six-character marks to bases, one decorated in the phoenix pattern to front and reverse, D 20cm, the other decorated with water plants, fish and waves, D 19.5cm. (2)
about Lot 1524
Glashütte, Senator, Panorama date with moon phase, a gentleman’s 18ct gold wrist watch, signed dark-gray matt dial with raised gilt baton markers, sweep centre seconds, a 'panorama date' or moonphase aperture near 10-11 and a date aperture at 4 and marked 'Glashutte I/SA', 39mm diameter case (41.5mm with crown) with a display back, on the original Glashutte black-leather strap with a deployant clasp stamped '750', Glashutte 44 jewel automatic movement, No.31275, Cal. Gub-39-41, with a pierced bi-colour rotor and marked 'Made in Germany'; together with the Glashutte Original case with a watchmaker's eye-piece or loupe, and outer card box
about Lot 1125
A mid 20th century Continental gold combined cigarette and vesta case, the reeded cover inset with an oval sapphire flanked by two small untested rubies, and with a small cabochon sapphire thumb-piece, the reeded base with an end-compartment for matches with a hinged cover with a serrated strike, with one small indistinct mark on the inner rim, approx. 12.5mm high, 91mm wide, 55mm deep, 132g gross
about Lot 241