A necklace with a spectacular dragon-shaped pendant, once owned by Anne Horniman, the English tea heiress and patron of Dublin’s Abbey Theatre during its early years, sold for over five times its estimate at auction in England this week. Auctioneer James Nicholson of Dreweatts in Donnington Priory, Berkshire said afterwards he was “absolutely flabbergasted at the price”. The opal, garnet, enamel and silver Arts and Crafts necklace, circa 1920, sold for £26,840(€32,113) (estimate £3,000-£5,000).

The jewel had attracted “considerable international interest” and no fewer than 8 telephone lines to the auction were booked in advance. Mr Nicholson said “the price just kept going up and up. A good result would have been £10,000 but £26,840 was terrific”.

Sadly, the necklace looks unlikely to end up in Ireland. Dreweatts said it was “finally bought by a UK buyer” who has not been named. Anne Horniman died in 1937. The necklace was sold by one of her descendants.