Presents to a favourite servant fetch £23,400

Christmas presents from Queen Victoria to her favourite personal servant, John Brown, sold for £23,400 at auction.

They went under the hammer at Bonhams' Scottish sale in Edinburgh yesterday.

A painted porcelain plaque of one of Queen Victoria's favourite dogs, Fern, presented to Brown by her was sold for 10,560, far above its estimated value of 3,000-5,000.

Also included in the sale were two very personal tributes to the Scottish servant, which were produced after his death in 1883.

A memorial locket containing an enamelled photographic portrait of Brown and a lock of his hair inscribed on the front DEAR JOHN/27 MARCH 1883 and on the reverse FROM V.R.I. made 13,200, high above its estimated price of 4,000-6,000.

A stickpin with an enamelled photographic portrait and the engraving Uncle John/27 March 1883/from/V.R.I., presented by the Queen to one of Brown's nephews, fetched 4,560.

Clare Blatherwick, the head of jewellery and silver at Bonhams, said: "They are an absolute slice of history.

"Royal presentation pieces always garner interest, and the Queen Victoria and John Brown story has been so fascinating to everyone, even Hollywood."

John Brown became a support to Queen Victoria after the premature death of her husband, Prince Albert.