Ripon's Elstob & Elstob sell rare Tiffany's brooch for £50k at online auction

It was one of several lots that achieved “spectacularly high prices” at Ripon-based Elstob and Elstob’s first totally online auction on Saturday.

Modelled in the shape of a Tiger Orchid, the brooch dates from around 1890 and bears the famous Tiffany and Co signature.

Twenty-five enamelled orchid brooches were showcased by the American jewellery company at the 1889 Paris Exposition Universelle.

“These brooches – thought to have been designed by Paul Farnham (1859 to 1929) – were hugely popular amongst Tiffany’s clientele at the time and are much sought after as a collector’s item today,” said jewellery expert and director Beth Elstob.

“Indeed a piece of almost identical appearance was included in Tiffany’s ‘Epic Vision & Virtuosity’ exhibition, in Shanghai last year. It is a truly iconic design and the craftsmanship is incredible.”

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