FINE JEWELRY TO BE OFFERED AT SKINNER
DECEMBER 12TH
BOSTON, Mass. - November 30, 2006
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www.skinnerinc.com - Skinner, Inc., one of the nation's leading auction houses, will hold an auction of fine jewelry at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 12, 2006, at its Boston gallery, offering signed pieces by Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Webb, a lovely selection of sapphire, emerald, and garnet jewelry, and part II of the Estate of Jeanne Klein, among other highlights. Coming just in time for the holidays, it features some wonderful gift ideas, including a wide selection of diamonds in many price ranges, and a fine assortment of antique jewelry.
Diamonds
A selection of solitaires highlights the diamond jewelry: a platinum and diamond solitaire by Harry Winston, the pear-shape diamond weighing 5.41 cts., which will be sold accompanied by a GIA certificate stating that the stone is D/VVS1 (lot 650, est. $70/80,000), a prong-set emerald-cut diamond weighing 12.13 cts. (lot 627, est. $40/50,000), a prong-set emerald-cut diamond weighing approximately 5.50 cts. (lot 641, est. $40/50,000), and an Edwardian solitaire by Tiffany & Co., prong-set with an old European-cut diamond weighing approximately 4.37 cts. (lot 623, est. $20/25,000). Other offerings include a pair of diamond earstuds, each prong-set with a round brilliant-cut diamond weighing 3.55 cts., accompanied by GIA certificates, stating that the stones are J/VVS2 and H/VS1 (lot 634, est. $55/65,000); a French platinum and diamond bracelet (lot 649, est. $20/25,000); and a signed pair of platinum and diamond earpendants by David Webb, weighing approximately 22.18 cts., prong-set with baguette, pear, old European, and full-cut diamonds (lot 635, est. $8/12,000). A pair of white gold and diamond earpendants (lot 569, est. $5,5/6,500) also will be offered.
Colored Stones
Among the most unusual jewelry in the auction is a 22kt gold and emerald three-stone ring recovered from the Anchor wreck, from the Spanish Flotilla of 1715, set with three step-cut emeralds (lot 605, est. $38/42,000). The flotilla was lost in a hurricane off the coast of Florida while returning to Spain from South America with bullion, coins, and emeralds. During this period, the Spanish were exploiting the emerald mines of the Muzo region of Colombia. Additional highlights include a platinum, emerald, and diamond bracelet by Tiffany & Co., c. 1940s, accompanied by a copy of the Retail Replacement Valuation from Tiffany & Co. (lot 636, est. $20/30,000); and a Kashmir sapphire and diamond ring, c. 1940, accompanied by an AGTA certificate dated September 18, 2006, stating that the stone is natural Kashmir, with no indications of heating (lot 571, est. $20/30,000). Gem-set jewelry also features a selection of Marilyn Cooperman jewelry, led by an emerald pendant necklace composed of graduating links pave-set with oval, pearl, and circular-cut emeralds suspending a floral form pendant, (lot 593, est. $12/15,000). Two 18kt Verdura gold and gem-set brooches, the first set with aquamarine and diamonds and the second set with pink tourmaline and diamonds (lots 581 and 582, est. $12/15,000 each), and a signed Seaman Schepps platinum, sapphire, and diamond ring, c. 1945 (lot 590, est. $6/8,000) round out the selection.
Art Deco and Antique Selections
A wonderful assortment of Art Deco jewelry will be offered, including a Cartier platinum and diamond bracelet (lot 620, est. $20/30,000), and a Viennese hardstone, enamel, and diamond bracelet, with arched plaques set with carved hardstone flowers within geometric panels accented by champlevé enamel and diamond mélée highlights (lot 601, est. $15/20,000). Art Deco selections by Cartier also include a signed Cartier platinum, sapphire, and diamond bar pin (lot 521, est. $2,5/3,500).
Also featured in the sale is a group of fine antique jewelry, including a demantoid garnet and diamond bracelet made in Russia, c. 1910, bearing the assay mark and maker's mark for Boke, Moscow (lot 613, est. $6/8,000). Additional pieces include a black opal, demantoid garnet, and diamond pendant-brooch (lot 614, est. $3/4,000), and a lava cameo bracelet, composed of polychrome carved lava composite depicting Mercury and a double row of grotesque theatrical masks, joined by Ionic columns (lot 390, est. $1,5/2,500).
Additional Highlights
Watches include two Cartier "Panthere" gentleman's wristwatches, one in 18kt gold, and the other stainless steel and 18kt gold (lots 343 and 349, est. $5/7,000 and $2/3,000 respectively). Also featured is an 18kt rose gold Patek Philippe wristwatch (lot 366, est. $2,5/3,500). Leading the selection of Arts and Crafts jewelry is a lovely gold and gem-set pendant necklace by Frank Gardiner Hale, bezel-set with pink topaz, peridot, purple sapphire and freshwater pearls (lot 610, est. $ 3/5,000). Several lots of jewelry by Otto Jakob will be offered, including an 18kt gold, Mandarin garnet, and enamel ring, prong-set with a fancy-cut garnet weighing 7.48 cts. (lot 597, est. $2,5/3,500). Rounding out the highlights are several signed pieces by Van Cleef & Arpels, a signed platinum, colored diamond, diamond, and jadeite flower brooch by Raymond Yard (lot 637, est. $1,5/2,000), a French Rococo Revival 18kt gold and enamel bangle bracelet (lot 400, est. $2/3,000), and a cultured pearl and diamond necklace by Marsh's (lot 563, est. $3/5,000).
The Estate of Jeanne Klein
Jeanne 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. Skinner features its second group of offerings from the collection at this auction (lots 651-693), with highlights including an Art Nouveau 14kt gold sapphire, and diamond stickpin (lot 689, est. $5/700), an antique gold and enamel slide bracelet (lot 683, est. $5/700), and an Etruscan Revival 15kt gold bead necklace (lot 692, est. $4/600), among others.
Special Events
In conjunction with its preview on Sunday, December 10th, and as a complement to its lecture series, Skinner invites all preview attendees to participate in its Jewelry Clinic, 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 5 p.m.
Website, Catalog, and Preview Information
Previews for the auction will be 12 to 5 p.m. Sunday, December 10th, 12 to 7 p.m., Monday, December 11th, and 8:30 to 10 a.m. Tuesday, December 12th. Illustrated catalog #2343 is available by mail for $32 ($39 for foreign requests) from the subscription department at 978-779-6241 x240. It is sold at the gallery for $29. Prices realized will be available at www.skinnerinc.com during and after the sale. For more information, visit www.skinnerinc.com. Skinner's site also allows users to view all lots in the auctions, leave bids, and order catalogs 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.
