SKINNER TO HOLD FINE JEWELRY AUCTION MARCH 14TH
Clinic and Gallery Walk at Boston Gallery March 12, 2006
BOSTON, Mass. - February 24, 2006
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www.skinnerinc.com - Skinner, one of the nation's leading auction houses, will hold an auction of fine jewelry in Boston on Tuesday, March 14th. The sale, which will begin at 11 a.m., features an important collection of Arts & Crafts jewelry, fine selections of certified natural pearl and diamond jewelry, as well as Edwardian and Art Deco pieces.
Arts & Crafts
Among the auction's most striking offerings is a collection of Arts & Crafts jewelry from the turn of the 20th century, acquired by a New York collector. Highlighting this collection are a Tiffany & Co. moonstone and Montana sapphire necklace designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany (lot 370, $15/20,000), a gold and multi-colored gem-set brooch by Frank Gardiner Hale (lot 371, $2/3,000), and a moonstone and Montana sapphire bracelet by Edward Oakes (lot 374, $6/8,000), all prime examples of the designers' work, all using American stones and unusual colored gems. Other makers in this important collection include Carence Crafters and Kalo.
Natural Pearls
From a British estate, the sale offers a natural pearl and diamond necklace, by Carrington & Co., c. 1880, in its original fitted box (cover, lot 646, $40/50,000). Carrington & Co. was active in the second half of the 19th century and was known for its pearl jewelry. The firm survived into the 20th century and was purchased by Garrard's. The necklace is simple, glamorous, and elegant, and is sure to draw significant interest. It is one of a group of certified natural pearl jewelry in the auction. Also included is an Art Deco platinum, diamond and pearl clip (lot 644, $2/2,500), as well as a signed Edwardian pearl and diamond heart pendant/brooch by Howard & Co., set with three white pearls (lot 645, $8/12,000), all with GIA certificates.
Art Deco and Cartier
A fine collection of Art Deco jewelry is led by a platinum and diamond pendant necklace, composed of flexible links bead-set with old European and old single-cut diamonds, suspending an articulated tassel set with old European, marquise, and rose-cut diamonds (lot 636, $15/20,000). Other Art Deco highlights include a signed pair of platinum and diamond dress clips by Cartier, in the original fitted box (lot 637, $6/8,000); and a signed onyx and diamond pendant watch, also by Cartier (lot 626, $5/7,000). Two signed Cartier flower brooches will be offered as well, the first a Retro gem-set flower clip, centering a pyramidal double cabochon tourmaline set en tremblant, in a flexible 14kt gold mount (lot 530, $3,5/4,500); and the second a topaz, citrine, and diamond flower brooch, c. 1930s, set with circular-cut topaz and rectangular fancy-cut citrines, and highlighted with old European and old mine-cut diamonds (lot 525, $6/8,000).
Additional Highlights
The sale also features a Renaissance Revival gem-set and enamel chain, which has many of the characteristics of the work of Carlo Giuliano (lot 483, $8/10,000). The piece has directly descended through the family of Henry Parish (1830-1917), who attended university in Paris and served as President of New York Life from 1871. As a member of the American Geographic Society, Parish was instrumental in raising money for the Robert Peary expedition, the first to reach the North Pole. The Parish family lived in the mansion on Fifth Avenue now occupied by Henri Bendel. Also featured is an Archaeological-style gold and amethyst fringe necklace by Castellani (lot 475, $8/1,200).
Highlights also include an antique demantoid garnet and diamond ring centered by a large oval garnet of particular beauty (lot 364, $8/12,000); and an Art Nouveau demantoid garnet, ruby, and pearl brooch by Marcus & Co., purchased at Wartski in London (lot 366, $6/8,000). An unusual collection of antique watches featuring a double dial calendar pocket watch by Rilliet, Strasbourg, c. 1800 (lot 420, $2/3,000) will be offered, as well as a small group of repeaters.
Other offerings include a large group of Georg Jensen jewelry, including many pieces set with colored stones. One such example is the signed sterling silver and gem-set necklace, bezel-set with cabochon almandite garnets (lot 78, $6/800). Those seeking Hermes handbags will find a large selection from a Rhode Island collector, all in excellent condition, including a box leather "Kelly" handbag (lot 4, $2,5/3,500), and an indigo Togo-leather "Birkin" handbag (lot 1, $3/5,000), among others.
Artist designed offerings include a signed 23kt gold pendant depicting a bull by Pablo Picasso, in its original box (lot 161, $7/9,000), and a sterling silver collar by Art Smith (lot 174, $6/8,000). The current owner purchased the necklace from Smith in 1961 at his Greenwich Village workshop on 4th Street. Art Smith (1917-1982) was an important African American artist jeweler known for his biomorphic designs.
The sale closes with jewelry from the gallery of Carole Berk, a collector and dealer in Mexican silver and Bakelite jewelry for the past 25 years, who co-authored Mexican Silver with Penny Morrill in 1974.
Special Event
As a complement to its auction preview on Sunday, March 12th, Skinner invites the public to participate in a Jewelry Clinic and Gallery Talk. The clinic will be hosted by Mr. Hagop Matossian from Bostonian Jewelers. Mr. Matossian, an antique and period jewelry restoration expert, is viewed by his peers in the industry as a pioneer in laser restoration techniques. For the past 25 years, he has collaborated with dealers and private collectors on restoration and alteration projects. 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. At 12:15 p.m., department director Gloria Lieberman will present a gallery talk, focusing on the important collection of Arts & Crafts jewelry, including the work of Louis Comfort Tiffany, Edward Oakes, and Frank Gardiner Hale, as well as other highlights from the auction. All preview attendees are invited to participate in both events.
Catalogue and Preview Information
Previews for the auction will be 12 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 12th, 12 to 7 p.m. Monday, March 13th, and 8:30 to 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 14th. Illustrated catalogue #2311 is available by mail for $32 ($39 for foreign requests) from the subscription department at 978-779-6241 x240. It is also available at the gallery for $29. 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 auction, leave bids, and order catalogues online.
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About Skinner
Skinner, Inc. is one of the nation's leading auction houses for antiques and fine art and the only major auction house headquartered in New England. With expertise in over 20 specialty collecting areas, Skinner draws the interest of buyers from all over the world and its auctions regularly achieve world record prices. Skinner provides a broad range of auction and appraisal services, and it is widely regarded as one of the most trusted names in the auction business. Skinner's appraisal experts regularly appear on the PBS-TV series, Antiques Roadshow, and its specialty 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. Skinner galleries are located in Boston and Bolton, Mass. For more information on upcoming auctions and events, visit Skinner's web site
www.skinnerinc.com.
