BOSTON, MA – December 10, 2018 – December Important and Fine Jewelry auctions were led by exceptional colored stones, large diamonds, and a strong collection of antique and period jewelry featuring the Edith Weber Jewelry collection.
The top lots in the auction were a rare Colombian emerald with no treatment that brought an impressive price of $177,000, a remarkable $38,000 per carat. Closely following was an Art Deco Burma Ruby Ring that reached $159,000 after spirited bidding between buyers worldwide.
Early in the auction, Senior Jewelry Specialist Kaitlin Shinnick observed “antique jewerly is back,” and in fact, antique and period jewelry garnered some of the auctions most competitive bidding. Skinner was proud to offer jewelry from the collection of Edith Weber. “We are fearless in our taste,” Barry Weber once said about the iconic antique jewelry store founded by his mother Edith in 1960. The rare and sought after pieces assembled by the Webers brought strong prices that far exceeded their presale estimates. Of special interest to buyers was their renowned collection of memento mori jewelry from the 17th and 18th centuries. Kaitlin Shinnick remarked that an Instagram post with a number of examples led to multiple inquiries and bidding from buyers new to Skinner.
Highlights include:
Unmounted Emerald, sold for $177,000 on December 4, 2018.
A rare unmounted Colombian emerald with no treatment that brought an impressive price of $177,000, a remarkable $38,000 per carat (Lot 316, estimate: $5,000-7,000).
An Art Deco Burma Ruby Ring that reached $159,000 after spirited bidding between buyers from around the globe (Lot 138, estimate: $40,000-50,000).
Art Deco Platinum, Ruby, and Diamond Ring, sold for $159,000 on December 4, 2018.
An Art Deco Platinum, Hardstone, and Diamond Bonsai Tree Brooch, by the Austrian jeweler to “the Kings” Ernst Paltscho, c. 1920., sold for $27,060 (Lot 159, estimate: $3,000-5,000).
A Van Cleef & Arpels “Raja Playing Lute” Brooch, c. 1947 that took bidders fancies to sell for $15,990 (Lot 183A, estimate: $5,000-7,000).
An early and unusual Italian Micromosaic Thirteen-star American Flag Brooch, early 19th century, depicting a thirteen-star flag with Liberty cap, within in a later gold frame, sold for $13,530 (Lot 106, estimate $1,000-1,500).
Art Deco Platinum, Hardstone, and Diamond Bonsai Tree Brooch, Ernst Paltscho, Austria, c. 1920, sold for $27,060 on December 4, 2018.
14kt Gold, Emerald, Diamond, and Ruby “Raja Playing Lute” Brooch, Van Cleef & Arpels, c. 1947, sold for $15,990 on December 4, 2018.
Unusual Thirteen-star American Flag Micromosaic, early 19th century, sold for $13,530 on December 4, 2018.
Skinner is currently accepting consignments for our spring 2019 auctions. We invite consignors to take advantage of this robust market to sell colored stones, diamonds and antique jewelry. Visit skinnerinc.com to learn more.
About Skinner
Skinner attracts top consignments and commands record-breaking prices in the international auction marketplace. With renowned expertise and extraordinary service, Skinner is the place for buyers, sellers and the passionately curious. Skinner appraisers are familiar faces on PBS’s 16-time Emmy Award-nominated ANTIQUES ROADSHOW. Visit us in Boston, Marlborough, New York or Miami, or online at https://www.skinnerinc.com.