T his December Sotheby’s will hold the Treasures sale, which will once again showcase a diverse group of rare and beautiful pieces with outstanding provenance. Highlights include amongst others, the earliest securely dated example of the very first postage stamp, the iconic 1840 Penny Black, a pristine impression, unused, and from plate 1a and lettered A-I. Remarkable gold, enamel and hardstone jewellery, reputedly from the Empress Josephine’s collection includes a carnelian, enamel and gold parure, circa 1808 which has been on display in the Victoria and Albert Museum for the past century and the Duchess of St. Albans Service comprising two Matching Regency Silver Soup Tureens, by Paul Storr for Rundell, Bridge and Rundell, London, 1817.

THE INCOMPARABLE JOSEPHINE

These majestic jewels mounted with cameos and intaglios certainly evoke the style of the Empress Josephine -her rank as wife of Napoleon Bonaparte, her impeccable taste and her interest in antiquity.

Learn More

Auction Highlights

Scroll through for more artworks.

14

Type: lot

Category: Lot

Gold, cameo and enamel diadem, belt clasp and belt ornament, circa 1805, some cameos possibly ancient

Gold, cameo and enamel diadem, belt clasp and belt ornament, circa 1805, some cameos possibly ancient

Estimation : 100 000 – 200 000 GBP

Treasures

7 décembre 2021 | 10:30 AM GMT | London

View Lot

15

Type: lot

Category: Lot

Carnelian, enamel and gold parure, circa 1805, some glyptics possibly ancient

Carnelian, enamel and gold parure, circa 1805, some glyptics possibly ancient

Estimation : 200 000 – 300 000 GBP

Treasures

7 décembre 2021 | 10:30 AM GMT | London

View Lot

30

Type: lot

Category: Lot

The Wallace Document. The World’s First Postage Stamp: The Earliest Known Example of the 1840 Penny Black

The Wallace Document. The World’s First Postage Stamp: The Earliest Known Example of the 1840 Penny Black

Estimation : 4 000 000 – 6 000 000 GBP

Estimation : 4 000 000 – 6 000 000 GBP

Treasures

7 décembre 2021 | 10:30 AM GMT | London

View Lot

17

Type: lot

Category: Lot

Thomas Tompion & Edward Banger, No.454. A Queen Anne ebony quarter repeating table clock of small size, London, circa 1707

Thomas Tompion & Edward Banger, No.454. A Queen Anne ebony quarter repeating table clock of small size, London, circa 1707

Estimation : 150 000 – 250 000 GBP

Treasures

7 décembre 2021 | 10:30 AM GMT | London

View Lot

19

Type: lot

Category: Lot

An early George III statuary marble and Sicilian Jasper chimneypiece, circa 1760, attributed to Sir Henry Cheere

An early George III statuary marble and Sicilian Jasper chimneypiece, circa 1760, attributed to Sir Henry Cheere

Estimation : 120 000 – 180 000 GBP

Treasures

7 décembre 2021 | 10:30 AM GMT | London

View Lot

20

Type: lot

Category: Lot

A pair of George III carved giltwood pier mirrors, circa 1760, in that manner of William & John Linnell

A pair of George III carved giltwood pier mirrors, circa 1760, in that manner of William & John Linnell

Estimation : 100 000 – 150 000 GBP

Treasures

7 décembre 2021 | 10:30 AM GMT | London

View Lot

22

Type: lot

Category: Lot

A George III gilt-brass-mounted inlaid and kingwood banded fustic secretaire cabinet , circa 1775, attributed to Thomas Chippendale

A George III gilt-brass-mounted inlaid and kingwood banded fustic secretaire cabinet , circa 1775, attributed to Thomas Chippendale

Estimation : 80 000 – 120 000 GBP

Treasures

7 décembre 2021 | 10:30 AM GMT | London

View Lot

29

Type: lot

Category: Lot

A Russian malachite tazza, after a design by I.I. Galberg, circa 1825-30

A Russian malachite tazza, after a design by I.I. Galberg, circa 1825-30

Estimation : 40 000 – 60 000 GBP

Estimation : 40 000 – 60 000 GBP

Treasures

7 décembre 2021 | 10:30 AM GMT | London

View Lot

26

Type: lot

Category: Lot

Duchess of St. Albans' Service: Two Matching Regency Silver Soup Tureens, Covers, Stands, and Liners, Paul Storr of Storr & Co. for Rundell, Bridge and Rundell, London, 1817

Duchess of St. Albans' Service: Two Matching Regency Silver Soup Tureens, Covers, Stands, and Liners, Paul Storr of Storr & Co. for Rundell, Bridge and Rundell, London, 1817

Estimation : 250 000 – 350 000 GBP

Estimation : 250 000 – 350 000 GBP

Treasures

7 décembre 2021 | 10:30 AM GMT | London

View Lot