Cluster ring shines as sale’s star of the day

Michael Bowman’s final sale of the year offered a bumper crop which was greatly appreciated by the capacity audience and the numerous internet and telephone bidders who took part. The star of the day was an 8.47 carat cornflower blue sapphire and diamond cluster ring that climbed over its £3,000-£4,000 guide price after a battle between two telephone bidders, finally selling for £5,000 to a collector from Kent.

A collection of 64 prosthetic eyes was a talking point of the day when internet bidding leapt to £1,160.

Another rare collector’s items was a pair of Second World War German U-Boat binoculars by Benutzer that raised eyebrows at £1,750 to an American bidder.

Michael Bowman is now accepting suitable entries for his New Year auction at Chudleigh to be held on January 19 and is available for free consultation at the Town Hall each Monday 2-5.30pm.