Meet the Expert
Ruth Davis, Head of Jewellery & Silver in Scotland at Lyon & Turnbull
I fell into the auction industry by happy accident. While at university I knew that I wanted to work with beautiful art and objects in a hands-on way, and I discovered a passion for jewellery through an internship at Lyon & Turnbull.
My role is very varied. I’m responsible for overseeing the goods-ge!ing, valuing and cataloguing for each auction. As well as contributing to the promotional and marketing calendars – we go all over the world consigning our jewellery. I’ve yet to take to the rostrum though… maybe one day!
I love the element of surprise:
never knowing what I will come across or who I will meet. Some of nicest pieces I have found were pulled out of carrier bags or shoe boxes buried at the back of wardrobes.
One of my favourite nds was also one of my "rst. I had a call about a coral necklace a couple of days a#er we had closed an auction for consignment. With very li!le expectation, I was eventually presented with a ba!ered old box that had been dug out from under a bed, containing the most beautiful Victorian Etruscan Revival carved coral necklace [pictured below, le#]. It sold well in excess of its estimate and was well worth the hassle of squeezing it in last minute.
I spend my days surrounded
by beautiful things, which has given me very expensive taste! So while I do have one or two lovely pieces of jewellery, I am an avid collector of books on the subject. I would love a really good piece by Andrew Grima. His work is so bold, stylish and immediately recognisable for its design quality.