More than 10,000 items belonging to a reclusive Melbourne jeweller are being sold in the country’s largest single estate jewellery auction.
When colourful jeweller and gold dealer Peter Davis died in 2017, he left behind thousands of pieces ofjewellery, coins, bullion, and wristwatches locked away in four safes nestled in the bowels of Melbourne’s famous Manchester Unity Building.
“He was an eccentric man. He wasn’t one to trade in standard business terms and kept off hours, sometimes seeing people and other times refusing them entry,” Philips Auctions jewellery specialist Tanya Philips said. “He was very, very active in the second-hand industry, so not just antique jewellery, but also coins, bullion, wristwatches, beautiful quality silver,” Ms Philips said.
“For people who are watch aficionados, they are great pieces and are collectable, highly sought after wristwatches,” Ms Philips said.The collection also features several rare items from Australian and Melbourne jewellers. Elsewhere the sale is littered with interesting and off-beat ephemera, most with nominal price estimates, and has a sort of trash and treasure vibe often associated with a deceased estate.Among the many Rolexes and other Swiss watches is a battered Rolex Rolco, head only, currently attracting a bid of $30. Numerous lots feature Rolex watch bands, dials and bezels, many attracting similar low offers.
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