OVER THE ASKING

Lindsay Burns & Company's general sale in Perth featured a surprisingly popular item, in the form of an emerald bead. It was found in a drawer of a dressing table mirror when consigned by a local gentleman. Although it may have been lying hidden for some time, its origins were likely several centuries ago in Mughal, India. The rich colour, large size and exotic mystique clearly beguiled the buyers. It sold after a fifteen-minute battle between two determined telephone bidders for £4,800.