| 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 |
AUTUMN AUCTION OF FINE JEWELRY AT SKINNER
SEPTEMBER 21
BOSTON, Mass. -September 1, 2004 – www.skinnerinc.com - Skinner will hold its annual early autumn auction of fine jewelry on Tuesday, September 21st, in Boston at 12 noon. Buyers will find a variety of distinctive offerings at this sale, ranging from antique to contemporary examples, from diamonds to colored stones, and from the traditional to the whimsical. Among the selections is an extensive collection of jewelry from the estate of a prominent Hudson River Valley, New York family, including important GIA certified diamonds, a group of large emeralds, sapphires, and two fine South Sea pearl necklaces. Additional highlights include pieces consigned by members of the Charles Morgan family of New York City, related to J. P. Morgan, and subjects of the novel The Elegant Auctioneers by Wesley Towner.
Diamond Jewelry
The selection of diamond jewelry in the auction spans a broad spectrum of styles and periods. From the Hudson River Valley estate, the sale includes an unmounted emerald-cut diamond weighing 5.02 cts. (lot 606, $65/75,000), a platinum and diamond solitaire weighing approximately 7.88 cts. (lot 608, $55/65,000), and an unmounted cushion-cut diamond weighing 3.50 cts. (lot 607, $28/32,000). In fact, there is an extensive array of solitaires and unmounted stones, many of which are GIA certified. "It's a very generous offering of certified diamonds," says department director Gloria Lieberman. "We're starting to see a number of certified diamonds come on the market that were purchased decades ago. It's a great opportunity to buy, with choices in a variety of sizes and shapes of high color and clarity." Examples also include an Art Deco Tiffany & Co.diamond solitaire centering an old European-cut diamond weighing approximately 3.30 cts. (lot 603, $40/60,000), and an unmounted marquise diamond weighing approximately 3.12 cts., of D color, and IF clarity (lot 585, $35/40,000).
An attractive and varied array of diamond earpendants compliments the rings, including a platinum and diamond pair with a total weight of 3.5 cts. (lot 601, $5,5/6,500), a pair of Art Deco earpendants (lot 576, $2/3,000), and a pair of antique rose-cut diamond earrings (lot 59, $1/1,500). Highlights also include a pair of Buccellati diamond floral earpendants (lot 537, $3/5,000). Additional offerings in diamond jewelry feature an Art Deco platinum and diamond line bracelet weighing approximately 12 cts. (lot 572, $15/20,000), and a dramatic platinum and diamond riviere with a total weight of approximately 27.00 cts. (lot 571, $28/32,000).
Adding color to the selection, a platinum, emerald and diamond brooch/enhancer (lot 624, $25/35,000), an emerald-cut emerald and diamond ring (lot 619, $20/30,000), and a platinum, ruby, and diamond necklace by Cartier Paris (lot 558, $15/20,000) will be offered. Other highlights include a cushion-cut sapphire and diamond ring (lot 613, $15/20,000), an oval-cut sapphire and diamond ring (lot 612, $10/15,000), and a dynamically designed Seaman Schepps sapphire and emerald bracelet (lot 500, $3/5,000). Unmounted stones include three emeralds (lots 620-622, $6/8,000, $12/18,000, and $8/10,000 respectively), and an oval-cut sapphire weighing 3.04 cts. (lot 610, $6/8,000).
Edwardian Jewelry
A fabulous late 19th century starburst diamond pin with large fiery white stones tops the auction's Edwardian jewelry (lot 604, $6/8,000). Additional offerings include a Tiffany platinum, sapphire, and seed pearl brooch (lot 605, $3/5,000), and the catalogue cover lot, a demantoid garnet and diamond duck in flight pin (lot 542), nicely sculpted and modeled, and expected to bring $2/3,000. The fine group of Edwardian rings includes lot 602, a three-stone pink tourmaline and diamond example ($3/5,000), and an attractive cat's eye chrysoberyl and diamond ring (lot 480, $2,5/3,500).
Art Nouveau and Art Deco Jewelry
A beautiful Art Nouveau broad flash black opal, diamond, and enamel pin (lot 347, $3/5,000) also graces the sale, with additional Art Nouveau offerings featuring an opal dress set by Marcus & Co. (lot 501, $8/1,200). Highlighting Art Deco jewelry is an exquisite cabochon emerald and diamond ring (lot 499, $6/8,000).
Additional Highlights
Central to the selection of antique jewelry are an unusual Scottish agate pendant (lot 477, $1,5/2,000), a gold pin by Castellani (lot 478, $4/600), and a set of toile peint buttons depicting amorini (lot 470, $3/500). Additional highlights in the auction include a single-owner collection of Bakelite jewelry, led by a yellow carved Philadelphia bangle bracelet (lot 58, $2/3000), and a Martha sleeper donkey pin (lot 57, $250/350), among other pieces.
An important and interesting group of Shakudo jewelry in the auction features a selection of Japanese metalwork. Examples include a necklace composed of fan-shaped links with scenes of Mt. Fuji, moons, clouds, and birds (lot 476, $8/1,200). A selection of Japanese mixed metal pieces rounds out the selection, including a gentleman's dress set in the style for which Tiffany won awards in Paris in the 1880s (lots 538 and 539, $1,5/2,000 each).
Catalogue and Preview Information
Previews for the auction will be 12 to 5 p.m. Sunday, September 19th, 12 to 7 p.m. Monday, September 20th, and 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, September 21st. 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.