BOSTON, Mass. – Sept. 12th, 2002 - www.skinnerinc.com - -- -- Skinner, Inc., one of the nation’s leading full-service auctioneers and appraisers of antiques and fine art, a major force in the sale of fine jewelry at auction, will hold its fall jewelry sale on Tuesday, September 24, 2002 at 12:00 noon in Skinner’s Boston gallery. The highlight of the sale is featured on the front cover of the sale catalogue: a spectacular Arts & Crafts Florence Koehler pendant/brooch and ring, c. 1900, estimated at $25,000-$35,000.

The pendant/brooch features a bezel-set circular-cut emerald framed by three pearls and six old European and old mine-cut diamonds, approximately 6.75 carats total weight, in white and lavender tinged enamel and gold florets, all within a foliate surround formed of bezel-set oval cabochon emeralds, tumbled emerald bead terminal, enameled verso depicting an arts and crafts style pottery vase with flowering vine, signed "FK" for Florence Koehler. The ring is bezel-set with old mine-cut diamonds, approximate total weight of 2.30 carats two pearls with rose overtones, and three rectangular-cut emerald accents, foliate green and white enameled gallery, verso, and shank.

Florence Koehler (1861-1949), one of the first and most important woman jewelers of the last century, was a key figure in the Chicago School of Arts and Crafts. She produced a limited number of elaborate jewels in the English taste for a wealthy clientele. The collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art contains further examples of her work. This suite was commissioned by Mrs. Russell, a member of the prominent Crane family of Chicago. Her initials, MR, are on the verso of the pendant. The set comes accompanied by a note describing the lineage of the various stones descending through the family.

Animal lovers and aficionados of children’s books will surely be drawn to one of the more whimsical pieces in the sale: and a Donald Claflin-designed Tiffany mouse brooch estimated at $8,000 - $10,000. The brooch depicts Stuart Little dressed in a blue and white ronde bosse enamel sailor's jacket and cap, full-cut pave-diamond body, pearl snout and ear, and bezel-set full-cut yellow diamond eye, gold tail suspending a diminutive anchor, and is signed Tiffany for Tiffany & Co. This pin is one of a very limited number produced and is featured in the pages of American Jewelry: Glamour and Tradition, by Proddow and Healy.

Lot 343 is a spectacular 18 inch strand of South sea pearls, composed of twenty-nine graduated white pearls with rose overtones measuring approximately 12.9mm to 17.9 mm completed by a spherical 18kt white gold diamond pave clasp, approx. total weigh of 2.11 carats. Estimated at $22,000-$24,000.

One of Gloria Lieberman’s favorite’s is Lot 399: an Art Nouveau 18kt Gold and Natural Pearl Brooch, designed as a Native American in profile wearing a feather headdress formed of a natural pearl with rose overtones, and featuring an18kt gold mount in the shape of a bow, arrow, and axe. It is estimated at $5,000 - $6,000.

For the gentlemen in the crowd, The auction features two noteworthy lots: a Gentleman's Amethyst and Platinum Dress Suite (Lot 494, estimated at $3,000-$4,000), probably designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany, signed Tiffany & Co. and inscribed "L.D.S." The double links are formed of cushion-shape amethyst cabochons set in platinum bezels with leaf-form accents, with matching shirt studs; and Lot 495, Gentleman's 18kt Gold and Tourmaline Cufflinks. The double links are formed of oval green tourmaline cabochons set in 18kt gold bezels with scroll accents, and are inscribed "LDS Sept 11 '32". The suite was probably designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany and is signed Tiffany & Co. Lot 495 is estimated at $2,500-$3,500.

Art Deco is well represented in the sale. Of note are Lots 441, 442, and 460. Of these, Lot 460 is the best: An Art Deco Platinum, diamond and ruby Pendant necklace. The pendant is centered by a prong-set cushion-cut ruby measuring approx. 6.70 x 5.88 x 4.23 mm within a navette-shape frame of channel-set diamond baguettes joined by a knot and triangular element to a flexible bead-set single-cut diamond necklace, approx. total diamond weight 1.75 carats. (Estimated $4,000-$6,000.) Lot 441 is an Art Deco diamond and enamel lipstick case decorated with black and white enamel stripes and mounted in platinum with two encircling bands and one scrolling device set with rose-cut diamonds, set in an 18kt gold case. It is estimated $600-$800. Lot 442 is an Art Deco Platinum, Diamond, and Rock Crystal Hat Pin. The piece features elliptical form rock crystal within a delicate bead-set rose-cut diamond frame and platinum mount. It is signed Cartier, and comes with the original box. (Estimated $1,500-$2,000.)

The sale also features many jewelry and gem favorites including a very nice selection of diamonds, (4 emerald cut) all over 3 carats each; several fine Mikimoto pearl items from one collector, a wonderful selection of Hermes accessories, including a lap throw, scarves, gloves, and watches; Victorian and Etruscan Revival pieces; and several pieces featuring colored stones including rubies and sapphires; and a very pretty selection of bow brooches.

To kick-off the fall jewelry Season, Skinner will be holding a special gallery walk and lecture presented by Gloria Lieberman at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 22nd. The Gallery Walk will be held in conjunction with the Sunday afternoon preview and the public is invited at no charge. For more information on the gallery walk or items in the sale, visit Skinner’s web site at www.skinnerinc.com. Skinner’s newly revamped site also enables customers to view all lots in the sale, order catalogues, leave bids and check prices realized in real-time during the sale.

Illustrated catalog #2161 is available for $29 ($32 for foreign requests) from the subscription department at Skinner/Bolton (978-779-6241 ext. 240For more information, call 978-779-6241, fax 978-779-5144, or visit www.skinnerinc.com.

Note to Editors: Photos available upon request. Contact Catherine Riedel at 978-779-6241 x 231.

About Skinner:
With galleries in Boston and Bolton, Mass., Skinner is a one of the nation’s leading auction houses. As a full-service auction house, Skinner provides auction and appraisal services for all manner of antiques and fine art, and its appraisal experts are regularly seen on the PBS series, The Antiques Roadshow. Skinner conducts auctions year-round and has received world-record prices for many pieces sold at auction. Departments include American Furniture & Decorative Arts, Paintings & Prints, English & Continental Furniture & Decorations, Fine Ceramics, Jewelry, Couture, 20th Century Furniture & Decorative Arts, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Art, Fine Judaica, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, Science & Technology, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographic Art, and Discovery. For more information on upcoming auctions, visit Skinner’s web site www.skinnerinc.com.