| Press Contact: | Gloria Lieberman, Director | Catherine Riedel, Director |
| Fine Jewelry | Marketing & Public Relations | |
| Skinner, Inc | Skinner, Inc | |
|
617-350-5400 x305 |
978-779-6241 x231 |
SKINNER TO HOST FINE JEWELRY AUCTION JUNE 15TH
BOSTON, Mass. - June 4, 2004 – www.skinnerinc.com - Skinner, one of the nation's leading auction houses, will host an auction of fine jewelry in Boston on June 15th, at 12 noon. The large sale comprises more than 650 lots, and in the wide and diverse array, bidders will find fine antique, Edwardian, and Victorian selections, as well as exceptional Art Deco jewelry. Highlights include lots 618 and 619, a platinum, emerald and diamond brooch and bracelet ($15/20,000 and $20/25,000, respectively) from the estate of oil heiress and well-known socialite, Louise Wilson Hunter, both retailed by Frost Bros. of San Antonio, Texas.
Art Deco Jewelry by Tiffany & Co.
The auction features several wonderful Art Deco pieces by Tiffany & Co. A diamond and onyx bracelet (lot 655, $8/10,000) and an elongated oval-form platinum and diamond brooch by the maker are excellent examples of classic black and white designs of the period. Additional highlights from the include lot 651, a stunning platinum and diamond necklace ($5/7,000), lot 574, a platinum, sapphire, and diamond bracelet ($3,5/3,500), and lot 653, a platinum and diamond line bracelet also by Tiffany & Co. ($2/3,000).
Pearls
The sale offers a group of both natural and cultured pearl jewelry, many of them with diamond accents. Leading selections include a pair of natural pearl and diamond earclips (lot 588, $3/5,000), and a natural pearl and diamond necklace with a striking Art Deco clasp. "Very nice," notes department director Gloria Lieberman, "and of wonderful quality, with very large size, clean pearls." Lot 589, an antique diamond, pearl, and ruby bracelet, boasts an artist's palette of multicolored natural pearls set within openwork floret links of rose-cut diamonds and oval-cut rubies ($8/10,000). Cultured pearl examples in the sale include lot 590, a pair of pearl and diamond earpendants, and 591, an Art Deco pearl and diamond necklace ($1/1,500 and $3/5,000 respectively).
Sapphires
Fabulous examples of turn-of-the-century American jewelry will be featured, including some striking sapphire items. "Very exclusive, c. 1920, and quite rare" is Lieberman's description of lot 548, a Montana sapphire line bracelet by Gillot & Co. This lovely piece is in pristine condition and will be sold with its original suede pouch marked, "Gillot & Co. Jewelers, McCutcheon Bldg., Fifth Avenue at 49th St., New York" ($25/35,000). Other examples of sapphire jewelry include an Art Nouveau gold and cabochon sapphire bangle(lot 546, $5/7,000), and an Art Nouveau gold and sapphire hinged bangle by Gattle & Co. (lot 545, $4/5,000).
Unusual Items
Particularly extraordinary offerings in the auction include an opal, diamond, and demantoid garnet pendant/brooch, c. 1910, centered by an Australian peacock opal measuring approximately 16.10 x 18.10 mm (lot 549, $15/20,000). Also bound to enchant bidders is an antique carved moonstone, diamond, and seed pearl bar pin. "Everyone loves moonstones, but this piece is extraordinary," says Lieberman.
Additional Highlights
The sale will open with a wonderful group of Hermès handbags, many of which are in pristine condition. Additional highlights include artist designed jewelry items, among them two pieces by Picasso: a gold pendant "Ovale," 1972, numbered 1/20 (lot 552, $8,5/9,000), and a gold "Poisson," also 1972, numbered 17/20 (lot 555, $8,5/9,000), each in its original box. A gold brooch by Richard Fishman (lot 551, $1,5/2,000) also will be offered.
For gentlemen, a fine selection of pocket and wristwatches can be found, highlighted by several Patek Philippe examples. These include a gold gentleman's wristwatch, made c. 1949 (lot 268, $2,5/3,500), and a triple signed pocket watch (lot 265, $1/1,500). Also highlighting gentleman's watches is lot 266, a Rolex wristwatch from the 1940s, with associated gold band ($2,5/3,500). Etruscan Revival offerings are marked by lot 316, a woven gold coil bracelet terminating in two gold balls ($2,5/3,5,000), and lot 482, a hinged bypass bangle bracelet terminating in two ram's heads ($1/1,500).
Other notable items include a selection of religious jewelry from the estate of Reverend Thomas Mary O'Leary, Bishop of Springfield, Massachusetts.
Special Events
Skinner invites the public to participate in its Jewelry Clinic on June 13th, which will be hosted by Mr. Hagop Matossian from Bostonian Jewelers. Mr. Matossian, an antique and period jewelry restoration expert, is a pioneer in laser restoration techniques. He will be available for individual consultations concerning items in the auction throughout the preview. The clinic will begin at 12 noon, and continue until 4 p.m. All preview attendees are invited to participate.
At 5:30 p.m. on the same day, Skinner will sponsor "The Charm Bracelet in America," a lecture of the New England Society of Jewelry Historians, given by Yvonne Markowitz, Research Fellow at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and Co-President of the New England Society of Jewelry Historians. Admission will be $10 for non-members. For more information, call 617-350-5400.
Catalogue and Preview Information
Previews for the auction will be 12 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 13th, 12 to 7 p.m. Monday, June 14th, and 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 15th. Illustrated catalog #2243 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 at www.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.