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.
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
An antique emerald and diamond pendant necklace, the drop-shaped emerald suspended from a rose diamond set fan shaped cupola surmount and an old-cut diamond, approx. 0.45cts, claw set, on a fine trace-link back chain and bolt-ring clasp approx. 43cm long overall, 6.3g gross
about Lot 4
MB&F for L’Epée 1839 - ' Starfleet Machine ' an exceptional award winning 175th anniversary spaceship skeleton table clock, limited edition of 175, featuring hours, minutes, double retrograde seconds and power reserve indicator, with a 40 day movement. This example being the 'dark' model, with Ruthenium finished components, all housed within a glass dome, with original box. The clock measuring approximately 21cm high x 29cm diameter, the dome approximately 29cm high x 34cm diameter.
about Lot 618
Bvlgari - Roma, a mid/late 20th century Italian gold and orange guilloche enamel pill box with a diamond three stone thumb-piece by Bulgari, the hinged cover, sides and base with alternate gold-wriggle and orange guilloche enamelled bands, marked on the lid inner edge 'Bvlgari - Roma' and the lower inner-rim 'AL39' & '750', approx. 10.5mm high, 35.5mm wide, 25.5mm deep (excluding the sprung thumb-piece), 30g gross
about Lot 271
A diamond solitaire ring, the early modern round brilliant approx. 3.25cts, in a twin four-claw setting on a D-section shank, unmarked platinum, size L, 4.1g gross
about Lot 8
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
Incredible two storey quaint Tudor style red brick summer house, with insulated elm and oak interior and cedar shingle roof, easy to transport, for very spoilt grandchildren or big children, H 425cm x D 290cm x W 406cm (measured to the widest points) Situated at Ronson Reclaim, Uley, GL11 5BT
about Lot 675
Rare and important set of six tall natural stone staddle stones, the largest 140cm high Situated at Ronson Reclaim, Sandhurst, GL2 9NG
about Lot 671
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