A RARE jewel-encrusted brooch bought in a box of costume jewellery for just £38 has been sold at a Derby auction for £10,800.
The Cartier brooch – covered in rubies, emeralds, sapphires and diamonds – was discovered by a shopper at a table-top sale in Staffordshire.
Now, it has gone under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers as a star attraction.
Hansons' head of jewellery, Isabel Murtough, said: "Although we have sold such high-value jewels in the past, the brooch is such an iconic representation of Cartier's craftsmanship in the Art Deco period, it was an absolute privilege to be selling it."
The piece is a Cartier Art Deco "tutti-frutti" jabot brooch.
It features a carved ruby which is mounted as a flower and is interlinked with emeralds and sapphires between diamonds.
Engraved and hidden on the side is the name "Cartier, London".
Hansons says the jewel is from the "vibrant 1930s" and now is a "flavour of the month among the high-end jewellery buyers of Paris, London and Geneva".
Ms Murtough said that the brooch was bought at the table-top sale by a vendor who wanted to remain anonymous.
She said that the pin, although small, was crafted in high-carat gold, and was expected to sell for between £5,000 and £8,000.
But at the auction it smashed its reserve price.
Charles Hanson, manager of Hansons Auctioneers, said: "It is amazing what bargains can still be discovered at car boots and local table top sales.
"With interest from buyers in the USA, United Arab Emirates, Paris and further afield, we were delighted here in Derbyshire to give it a good send-off."
