| Press Contact: | Catherine Riedell | Gloria Lieberman, Director |
| Director of Marketing | Fine Jewelry | |
| Skinner, Inc | Skinner, Inc | |
|
978-779-6341, x231 |
617-350-5400 x305 |
SKINNER TO HOST FINE JEWELRY AUCTION MARCH 16TH
Gallery Walk and Clinic at Boston Gallery March 14, 2004
BOSTON, Mass. - February 22, 2004 – www.skinnerinc.com - Skinner, one of the nation's leading auction houses, will host an auction of fine jewelry in Boston on March 16th, featuring jewelry from five estates, and private collections including the collection of Angela Cummings. A significant group of Art Deco and Edwardian platinum and diamond pieces highlight the offerings, as well as a broad range of antique jewelry, and a number of unmounted diamonds from a single owner collection. Diamond selections also include a solitaire necklace, centering a prong-set heart-shape diamond weighing 9.12 cts., that is accompanied by a certificate from the GIA dated December 19, 2003 stating that the stone is G color and SI2 clarity (lot 572A, $35/55,000).
Emerald and Diamond Jewelry
"Green is back," says department director Gloria Lieberman. "St. Patrick's Day follows our auction date, and we like to accommodate. We are pleased to offer a wonderful selection of understated and elegant emerald and diamond pieces." Included are an Art Deco diamond, emerald, and onyx bracelet by Van Cleef & Arpels, Paris (lot 625, $8/12,000), a French Art Deco emerald and diamond bracelet bezel-set with cabochon emeralds (lot 623, $5/7,000), and an Art Deco emerald and diamond pendant with trapezoidal and triangular step-cut emeralds, and set throughout with old European, marquise, briolette and single-cut diamonds (lot 624, $4/6,000). Another example is the antique emerald and diamond pendant/brooch, with an open work Greek cross centering a rectangular step-cut emerald surrounded by old European-cut and old mine-cut diamonds (lot 620, $5/7,000).
Antique Jewelry
The auction's antique jewelry offers selections for many tastes. Leading examples include an 18kt gold, diamond and polychrome enamel pendant watch bearing a Continental assay mark (lot 476, $4/600), a signed pair of Wiese 18kt gold and ancient coin cuff links (lot 477, $1,2/1,500), and a diamond brooch designed as a large spray of flowers set throughout with old mine- and rose-cut diamonds, bearing a French import stamp (lot 499, $3,5/4,000).
The Angela Cummings Collection
Angela Cummings established her reputation as a designer for Tiffany & Co., later making her mark as a designer for her own shop. Upon her retirement, thirty-two pieces from her studio were consigned to Skinner. Each piece is signed, and comes with its original presentation box. Examples include a platinum and diamond "Eternity" bracelet, (lot 466, $15/18,000), an 18kt gold and diamond "Jasmine" necklace (lot 435, $5,500-6,500), and an 18kt gold and black jade "Jaguar" bangle bracelet (lot 465, $2,5/3,000).
Additional Highlights
The sale also features a fine selection of pearl jewelry, highlighted by a 17-inch golden South Sea pearl necklace (lot 270, $16/20,000), and an 18½-inch strand of Tahitian pearls (lot 510, $4/5,000). Other necklaces include a 17-inch strand of South Sea Baroque pearls (lot 512, $7,5/8,500), and an 18½-inch strand of South Sea pearls (lot 514, $4,5/5,500). Selections in colored stones include a sapphire and diamond ring, centering a cushion-cut sapphire weighing 2.01 cts., and accompanied by a certificate from AGL stating that the origin of the stone is Kashmir and there is no evidence of heat enhancement (lot 598, $4/6,000). Other examples include lot 577, a gem-set and diamond flowerpot brooch ($2/3,000); lot 578, a platinum, pink sapphire and diamond twin-stone ring ($3/5,000); and lot 575, a signed pair of Cartier aquamarine and diamond earclips ($2/2,500). From the 1970s is a duck pin by Van Cleef & Arpels, composed of carved coral, lapis and polished labradorite, with full-cut diamond collar and tail, and signed with French hallmarks (lot 599, $2/3,000). "All in all, it's a colorful sale," remarks Lieberman.
Special Event
Skinner will open its Sunday, March 14th preview with an informal discussion of selected pieces from the sale, conducted by Gloria Lieberman. As a compliment to its lecture series, Skinner also invites the public to participate in its Jewelry Clinic, hosted by Mr. Hagop Matossian from Bostonian Jewelers. Mr. Matossian, an antique and period jewelry expert, is a pioneer in laser restoration techniques. He will be available for individual consultations concerning items in the auction throughout the preview. The discussion will begin at 12 noon, and the clinic will continue until 4 p.m. All preview attendees are invited to participate.
Catalogue and Preview Information
Previews for the auction will be 12 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 14th, 12 to 7 p.m. Monday, March 15th, and 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 16th. Illustrated catalog #2231 is available by mail for $29 ($35 for foreign requests) from the subscription department at 978-779-6241 x240. It is also available at the gallery for $26. Prices realized will be available atwww.skinnerinc.com during and after the sale. For more information, call 617-350-5400, or visit www.skinnerinc.com. Skinner's site also allows users to view all lots in the auctions, leave bids, and order catalogues online.
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 full-service auctioneer and appraiser of antiques and fine art. Regularly seen on the PBS series, Antiques Roadshow, Skinner is one of the nation’s leading auction houses. 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 & Ethnographica, and Discovery. For more information on upcoming auctions, visit Skinner’s web site www.skinnerinc.com.