Contacts:

	Gloria Lieberman, Director	Catherine Riedel
	Fine Jewelry	Director of Marketing
	617-350-5400 x305	978-779-6241 x231
	glieberman@skinnerinc.com	criedel@skinnerinc.com

SKINNER JEWELRY AUCTION SEPTEMBER 19TH

Gallery Talk and Clinic at Boston Gallery September 17, 2006

BOSTON, Mass. - August 31, 2006

- www.skinnerinc.com - Skinner, one of the nation's leading auction houses, will hold an auction of fine jewelry in Boston on Tuesday, September 19th, at 11 a.m.

Diamonds and Colored Stones

The cover of the sale catalogue spotlights perhaps the most important offering, a Van Cleef & Arpels 18kt Gold, Platinum, and Diamond "Paillettes" suite (lot 715, est. $20/30,000). A suite similar to this example appears on page 131 of Sylvie Raulet's book, Van Cleef & Arpels. Jewelry in the "paillettes" style (the French word for "sequins") is rare, as the pieces were made by hand through a laborious and meticulous process. This suite, created c. 1948 and comprising a necklace, bracelet, and ring, comes from a Newport, Rhode Island estate. "It's very elegant, chic, and sophisticated," notes department director, Gloria Lieberman.

The auction offers a fine selection of diamond solitaires, including one prong-set with a circular-cut diamond weighing 7.02 cts., flanked by baguettes, and accompanied by a GIA certificate stating that the diamond is H color, VVS2 clarity (lot 713, est. $100/125,000); and another prong-set with a light yellow step-cut diamond weighing approximately 10.00 cts. (lot 682, est. $30/40,000). Other examples include a Diamond Solitaire prong-set with a modified Asscher-cut diamond weighing approximately 2.50 cts., flanked by baguettes (lot 703, est. $15/20,000), and a Platinum and Diamond Solitaire bezel-set with a cushion-cut diamond weighing approximately 2.00 cts., framed by thirty old European, full, and single-cut diamond melee (lot 675, est. $8/10,000).

A very unusual Platinum, Buff-top Sapphire, and Diamond Bracelet, c. 1935 (lot 711, est. $15/20,000) also will be featured, remarkable for its design and perfectly matched sapphires. Additional highlights include an 18kt Gold, Platinum, Enamel, and Diamond Bracelet by David Webb (lot 681, est. $6/7,000), and a pair of 18kt Bicolor Gold and Diamond Clips, by Nardi, each designed as a cherry with mask and diamond leaf (lot 680, est. $2/3,000). Nardi's was in Venice, and this charming pair of clips reflects the carnival nature of some of the city's festivities. The varied offerings also include an Edwardian Platinum and diamond Pendant Watch by Black, Star & Frost (lot 651, est. $3/5,000). "A beautiful period piece," according to Lieberman.

Antique and Art Deco

The sale offers a strong selection of Art Deco jewelry, including a stunning Sapphire and Emerald Brooch by Tiffany & Co. (lot 712, est. $15/20,000). Also featured is a Platinum, Alexandrite, and Diamond Ring by William Wise & Sons, prong-set with a cushion-shape alexandrite measuring approximately 9.25 x 8.85 x 7.20 mm, accompanied by a GIA certificate stating that the alexandrite is natural (lot 484, est. $15/20,000). Additional examples include a Platinum and Diamond Solitaire prong-set with an old European-cut diamond weighing approximately 4.50 cts. (lot 664, est. $10/15,000), a Platinum, Diamond, and Gem-set Charm Bracelet (lot 709, est. $10/15,000) set with wonderful charms, and a beautifully designed French 18kt Gold, Amazonite, and Onyx Bracelet (lot 578, est. $6/800).

Antique jewelry includes an elegant 18kt Gold, Enamel, Pearl, and Diamond Bracelet by Lucien Gautrait (lot 498, est. $8/12,000). A Platinum, Ruby, and Diamond Bracelet (lot 613, est. $8/10,000) by Tiffany & Co. also will be featured, as well as a delicate Diamond Flowerhead Necklace (lot 620, est. $8/10,000), and a Renaissance Revival Topaz, Enamel, and Gem-set Pendant/Brooch (lot 627, est. $3/5,000).

Artist Designed Jewelry

Artist designed jewelry in the auction features an 18kt Gold Pendant by Pablo Picasso, with an abstract image of a horse (lot 327, est. $5/7,000); an Enamel and Gem-set Brooch, after The Eye of Time by Dali, by Henryk Kaston (lot 331, est. $6/8,000); and an 18kt Gold and Gem-set Pendant/Brooch, after Dali, also by Kaston, depicting the profiles of Tristan and Isolde (lot 330, est. $2/3,000). Additional offerings include an 18kt Gold and Silver Bracelet and an 18kt Gold and Silver Pendant by Sven Boltenstern, c. 1972 (lots 328 and 329, est. $3/5,000 and $1,5/2,000 respectively). The son of a Viennese architect, Boltenstern studied sculpture in Oskar Kokoschka's Salzburg Art Academy and goldsmithing in Vienna and Paris. The artist's work as a sculptor and jeweler is represented in the Vienna Museum of Applied Art.

A Sterling Silver, Fire Opal, and Onyx Brooch by Sam Kramer also highlights the selection of artist designed jewelry (lot 188, $1/1,500). Now considered the most important post-war Modernist jeweler, Kramer was a surrealist artist who worked in the biomorphic style. Among the first of the Greenwich Village studio jewelers (est. 1940), Kramer advertised his work as "Fantastic Jewelry for People Who are slightly Mad." A self-described rockhound, Kramer studied gemology and developed a fondness for precious stones as well as exotic materials, from Burmese rubies to glass eyes. Kramer's work emphasizes the hand of the artist and metal's natural potential for fluidity and spontaneity.

Rounding out the selection are a Polychrome Enamel Serpent Bangle by Nikki de Saint Phalle (lot 332, est. $3/500), and a Pair of Lucite Rings by Amalia del Ponte for Gem Montebello (lot 325, $1/200).

The Estate of Jean Klein

Jean Klein was a Brookline, Mass. dealer for the past 30 years, who collected jewelry from a closely defined period: from 1870-1905, including Victorian, Antique and Art Nouveau examples. The Skinner auction offers selected pieces from this collection (lots 716-767). Highlights include an Archeological Revival 18kt Gold Pendant by Ernesto Pierret (lot 767, est. $8/1,200). Ernesto Pierret (1824-1870) was a French jeweler who moved to Rome and later opened his own goldsmith shop in Florence. Renowned for his craftsmanship, he is considered one of the finest Revivalist jewelers of the period. Other offerings from the Klein estate include an Antique Alexandrite Stick Pin (lot 755, est. $3/5,000), and a fabulous pair of Victorian Bicolor Gold and Enamel Fringe Earpendants (lot 763, est. $3/500).

Additional Highlights

The auction also features an Arts & Crafts Carved Gem-set Necklace by Josephine Hartwell Shaw (lot 492, est. $3/5,000). Shaw (active 1900-1935), whose work is represented in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, was from Duxbury, Massachusetts. Additional highlights include a wonderful signed 14kt Yellow Gold and Ruby Dresser Box by Verdura (lot 428, est. $1,8/2,200), a French 18kt Gold, Ruby, and Diamond Multi-strand Necklace and Bracelet (lot 425, est. $3/4,000), an 18kt Bicolor Gold, Ruby, and Diamond Cuff Bracelet (lot 369, est. $2/3,000), and a Tiffany & Co. Diamond Bow Brooch (lot 631, est. $1,5/2,000).

Special Events

At 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 17, Gloria Lieberman will give a short talk on the jewelry of the 1940s, focusing on the Van Cleef & Arpels suite (lot 715). Skinner also invites the public to participate in its Jewelry Clinic the same afternoon, 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 Sunday preview, beginning at 12 noon, and continuing until 5 p.m. All preview attendees are invited to participate in both events. For more information, call 617-350-5400.

Catalogue and Preview Information

Previews for the auction will be 12 to 5 p.m. Sunday, September 17th, 12 to 7 p.m. Monday, September 18th, and 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday, September 19th. Illustrated catalog #2330 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 auctions, leave bids, and order catalogues online.

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.