Christie’s announces a full line-up of superb jewels for its upcoming Jewels: The New York Sale on October 20.
The day-long auction features over 450 individual pieces, including top-quality colored and colorless diamonds, rare gemstones, and one-of-a-kind jewels with notable provenance, as well as Jeweled Elegance: The Eye of A Distinguished Collector, a truly stellar singleowner collection of over 160 signed jewels from the most esteemed jewelry houses. The total sale is expected to achieve in excess of $40 million.
Jeweled Elegance: The Eye of a Distinguished Collector
In a sale already brimming with glamour, Christie’s is pleased to present Jeweled Elegance: The Eye of A Distinguished Collector, a carefully-curated private collection of signed jewels from the most celebrated designers, including Cartier, David Webb, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Harry Winston. The entire morning session of the October 20 auction is devoted to this dazzling assemblage of over 160 individual pieces, built with extreme care and passion over decades, often with the assistance of Philippe Arpels, a noted connoisseur and President of Van Cleef & Arpels in the U.S. from 1985 to 1991.
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Iconic designs by Van Cleef & Arpels form the backbone of the collection, with exceptional examples from a cross-section from design eras. A superb group of “Mystery Set” jewels, including a Ruby and Diamond “Pavot” Flower Brooch with diamond-crusted pistil from circa 1974 (estimate: $200,000-300,000), and coordinating pair of Ruby and Diamond Ear Clips from circa 1984 (estimate: $30,000-50,000) are beautiful examples of the firm’s trademark technique of crafting remarkable gem-set pieces without any visible metal or prongs on the surface.
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Another example of Van Cleef & Arpels enduring style is the firm’s trademark “Snowflake” motif which was first introduced in 1945 and went on to become one of the most popular of the firm’s iconic design motifs. The Jeweled Elegance collection features a full suite of intricate “Snowflake” jewels, including a diamond and gold “Snowflake” necklace (estimate: $80,000-120,000), coordinating bracelets (estimate: $30,000-50,000) and ear pendants ($12,000-15,000).
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From the aptly regarded “King of Diamonds” - Harry Winston - the Jeweled Elegance collection features a spectacular D-color potentially internally flawless rectangular-cut diamond ring of 17.65 carats (estimate: $1.5-2 million). The diamond is simply mounted and accented with trillion-cut diamonds to show off the main diamond’s flawless brilliance. Another stunning Winston jewel, the celebrated “Holly Wreath” Necklace (estimate: $800,000-1,200,000) is perhaps the most important and widely imitated of Harry Winston’s signature designs. First conceived in 1944 and inspired by the deceptively simple construction of a Christmas holly wreath. The weight of the diamonds in this dazzling necklace totals an impressive 152.35 carats.
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No collection of this breadth and caliber would be complete without the iconic designs of Cartier, David Webb, Carvin French, and an exceptional selection of chic “boutique” jewelry by Van Cleef & Arpels. Among the highlights is the iconic “Panther” bracelet by Cartier encrusted with diamonds and onyx “spots” and pear-shaped emerald eyes ( estimate: $80,0000-120,000); a stunning openwork gold bracelet set with navette-shaped circular-cut diamond links by David Webb (estimate: $30,000-50,000); and a rectangular-cut sapphire and diamond ring of 18.25 carats by Carvin French (estimate: $250,000-350,000).
The Vanderbilt Diamond Necklace
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The afternoon session of Jewels: The New York Sale features a number of important jewels with exceptional provenance, including a selection of items from the collection of Wendy Vanderbilt Lehman. Christie’s presents one of the cornerstone pieces of Ms. Lehman’s collection, The Vanderbilt Diamond Necklace, an extraordinary diamond fringe necklace of 24 detachable pear-shaped diamonds (estimate: $400,000-600,000).
Period Jewels
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For collectors of fine period jewels, the afternoon session features several exceptional examples of Belle Epoque and Art Deco era design, including an elegant Belle Epoque Diamond Bow Brooch by Cartier from circa 1904 (estimate: $300,000-500,000). A dazzling Belle Epoque Diamond Choker Neckace by Boucheron features an intricate diamond openwork design accented with circular and old-cut diamond fringe (estimate: $200,000-400,000).
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Among the Art Deco period jewels, a standout is an important Diamond, Multi-Gem and Enamel Sautoir by Mauboussin (estimate: $800,000- 1,200,000) that represents the best of the firm’s “Tutti Frutti” offerings from the 1920’s.
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Highlights of the modern period include a pair of 1960’s era Diamond “Palm” ear pendants by Cartier crafted in chandelier style, with cascades of palm motif plaques set with pearshaped diamonds (estimate: $250,000-350,000), and a rare Diamond, Cultured Pearl, and Lapis Lazuli Choker Necklace designed by Jean Schlumberger in 1976. This necklace is one of only two or three examples ever produced by Tiffany & Co. (estimate: $70,000-100,000).
As recent sales seasons have demonstrated, the market for top-quality colored and colorless diamonds continues to rise, driven by increasing demand from collectors and investors alike.
The afternoon session of Jewels: The New York Sale features an exceptional selection of D- and E-color diamonds and rare gemstones, all leading up to the grand finale sale of The Bulgari Blue a two-stone diamond ring designed by the legendary house of Bulgari in the 1970s.
