Charles Knyvett (1710-1782) pendant sells for just under £1,200

Fellows’ final Fine Jewellery sale of the year ended on a high note yesterday with the sale of an intriguing portrait miniature believed to be Charles Knyett for just under £1,200. The pendant sold for a total of £1,173.92 (including fees), and was part of a hugely successful sale packed with desirable jewellery. The pendant was Lot 427 in the Fine Jewellery sale, and sold for a hammer price of £920 after a lot of interest.

Charles Knyvett was born in 1710, in Fundenhall, Norfolk (where his family had been based since 1400), he married Jane Jordan and had three children including the organist and singer Charles (b. 1751 d.1822). He died at Fundenhall, Norfolk in 1782. The noble Knyvett family can be traced back to 1040, with many notable relatives. The Knyvett’s were closely tied with the Howard and Boleyn families. Catherine Knyvett (1516 – 1596) was married to Thomas Howard, who was a great favourite of Elizabeth 1^st and was created Earl of Suffolk when James I took the throne. Howard discovered the Gunpowder plot against the King which led to the arrest of Guy Fawkes. He eventually became the High Treasurer of England – which gives an idea of the depth of the Knyvett family ties.

The pendant sold in a 441-lot sale which took place on Thursday 14^th November and lasted over five hours. There were many bids spread out across the auction and with the incentives of free postage until the New Year and their own live bidding platform, Fellows’ final Fine Jewellery auction leading into Christmas was incredibly popular. The sale was jam packed full of alluring jewellery worth all the way up to £30,000, and the vast majority of items offered ended up selling.

Nicola Whittaker, Business Development Manager at Fellows Auctioneers, said: “I am delighted our final Fine Jewellery sale of the year ended on a real high note. Ever since we consigned it, I have been fascinated by the pendant believed to depict Charles Knyvett, and it’s great to see it sell for a good price at auction. Hopefully our current timed sale of Designer Jewellery is equally as successful.”

Fellows Auctioneers has just launched their newest jewellery auction. This specialist, online timed auction features contemporary ranges and stunning pieces from renowned designers across the world. Each lot offered for sale is from a well-known brand including Bulgari, Cartier, and Tiffany & Co., giving you the opportunity to acquire jewellery from these designers at reasonable prices. Diamond encrusted jewels from Chaumet, Fabergé, and Piaget sit alongside more modest pieces from Roberto Coin, Pomellato, and Lapponia creating a smorgasbord of designers at a variety of price points. The Designer Jewellery timed sale is currently online now and will end on Thursday 28^th November.