Jewellery worth £100,000 found next to joint of lamb in dead grandma’s freezer – The Sun
ANTIQUE jewellery worth £100,000 has been found hidden next to a joint of meat in a dead grandma’s freezer.
Auctioneers discovered the gems after the family of the woman, an eccentric collector, asked them to do an inventory at the home.
The haul included a 500-year-old Renaissance enamel and gem-set 'Pelican in her Piety' pendant worth £30,000 and a £15,000 17th century Italian sapphire and ruby necklace.
A 400-year-old Iberian gold gem set of ruby, diamond and emerald pendant necklace is valued at £6,000.
Auctioneer Pippa Kidson-Trigg said the gems at the run-down bungalow near Uffington, Wilts, had receipts showing they had been bought at auctions or from dealers.
She added: “The family told us their late grandmother had nice things hidden in her home.
“People from that generation did tend to hide valuables for safekeeping.
“They weren't aware of exactly what she had or where she hid it. They just new that once upon a time she was a lady of means who bought nice items.
“We searched high and low for items and were very thorough. It’s an amazing find.”
HIDDEN GEMS
The haul, that was found alongside a frozen joint of lamb, dates back to the 16th century.
Being stashed in the freezer 'did not have any effect' on the antique gems' condition, the auctioneers say.
They added: “Among the rubbish in the house we found original receipts and paperwork for may of the items. This was proved to be excellent provenance.
“We found formal letters of correspondence and 1964 receipts from Charles Shapland, of Shapland Diamond Merchants of London WC1 and old insurance valuation documents and personal handwritten lists and notes.
“Buyers would be suspicious of it without the receipts and paperwork.”
The 30 lots of jewellery include gold and silver rings, bracelets, pendants, earrings and brooches.
They will be sold by Kidson-Trigg Auctions of Swindon, Wilts, on November 13.
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