Christie’s has been chosen by BOEHMER ET BASSENGE as the auction house of choice to launch their new Maison de Haute Joaillerie based in Paris, by introducing two outstanding pieces of jewellery from their first collection.
The atelier is named in honour of Charles Boehmer and Paul Bassenge, Parisian jewelers of the 18th century, who created an exceptional and historically famous diamond necklace during the reign of Louis XV. As jewellers to the court, the orders of the King drove the pair to perfection and inspired them to create the most lavish designs.
Working exclusively with a handful of large, D colour, Flawless clarity diamonds of perfect polish and symmetry, combined with years of experience and preparation, the atelier BOEHMER ET BASSENGE creates exceptional pieces of jewellery in honour of the craftsmanship of their eponym. With an uncompromising attitude to quality, just a few pieces will be produced each year of which Christie’s is honoured to present two, a necklace and a pair of earrings, during their preview exhibitions in Hong Kong, London, New York and Geneva. The pieces will be included in the Magnificent Jewels auction taking place on 15 November in Geneva. That evening they will be offered without a reserve price – meaning that each piece will be sold, no matter the final price achieved in the auction room.
Miroir de l’Amour are the world’s largest perfect pear-shaped diamond drops ever to be offered at auction. Each drop is a D colour, Flawless clarity diamond of 52.55 and 50.47 carats, with symmetrical cuts. Such perfection is rarely seen. The center stones sit below 30 Internally Flawless D colour diamonds in pear and marquise-cuts weighing 20.41 carats, bringing the total weight of the earrings to 123.43 carats. Estimate of Miroir de l’Amour earrings is US$20-30m.
Le Jardin d’Isabelle is a mesmerizing diamond necklace containing three very important D colour, Flawless clarity diamonds of 31.38, 12.11 and 8.07 carats. Composed into a garland of flowers and accented with intense pink diamond bows, it is a necklace of pure quality and magnitude, made from 176 white pear-shaped, marquise-cut and round shaped diamonds, accounting for 91.80 carats. All stones are of D colour and Flawless clarity. With an intense colour, the pink accents are made of 258 diamonds, accounting for 3.92 carats. Every step of the design process is preserved, including the designer’s original gouache drawings which are part of the offering. Estimate of Le Jardin d’Isabelle necklace is US$8-12m.
