Whether it’s called zoomorphic personal ornamentation or critter glitter, animals of all kinds have been a recurring motif in jewelry history. Their natural beauty and unique traits have inspired countless pieces, from the scarab beetles of ancient Egypt to David Webb’s zebras and frogs.

The perennial fascination with animal themes is also because certain mammals, birds, reptiles and even insects are regarded as symbolic of virtues or desirable characteristics — “brave as a lion,” “wise as an owl,” “busy as a bee.”

In the ancient world, the Greeks, Persians and Romans followed the Egyptians in prizing jewelry with animal motifs.… Read More

Like many of you right now, I’ve spent the last few months retreating into comforts—comfort food, comfort clothes, and comfort TV. And nothing is more comforting than re-watching your favorites, the shows and movies you’ve seen hundreds of times and can recite line by line. After watching the much anticipated season 4 of The Crown (whether you liked this season or not, Gillian Anderson was INCREDIBLE), I found myself going back to seasons 1 and 2 again.  

The Queen’s jewelry reproductions were amazingly accurate, something I found lacking in seasons 3 and 4.… Read More

The June 23 Important Jewelry auction features over 175 lots of antique, period, and contemporary jewelry. Highlights include jewelry from the estate of Mary Weld Pingree, an antique Kashmir sapphire ring, Colombian emeralds, and several pieces of impressive diamond jewelry from a private collection. Enjoy a selection of video highlights or browse the auction.

Private in-person previews will be available on June 21 & 22.… Read More

Join us for First Tuesday online!

Tuesday, May 5 | 1:30PM – 4PM

Find out the value of your objects from your home!

While we cannot invite you to join us in our Marlborough Galleries on May 5, we are here to help. All of our Skinner specialists from all departments will be on hand from 1:30PM – 4PM to evaluate items via email. Contact us with your auction evaluation requests at evaluations@skinnerinc.com and we will answer them in as “real time” as we can.… Read More

The mint green drawing room in the Woodhouse home. Photo: Focus Features

Like almost all of us now staying safe at home, I’ve been catching up on some TV and movies. I’m obsessed with Autumn de Wilde’s 2020 version of Emma with its candy-like colors and stunning scenery—I kept pausing and rewatching scenes just to take it all in. Based on the novel written by Jane Austen in 1815, Emma takes place during the English Regency period, which refers to the period (1811-1820) when George III was unfit to rule and his son, the future George IV, ruled by proxy as The Prince Regent.… Read More

Join us for First Tuesday in Marlborough

Tuesday, March 3 | 1:30PM – 4PM

Specialists Robin S.R. Starr, Jonathan Dowling, Kaitlin Shinnick & Stuart Slavid will be on hand to evaluate items and accept consignments for upcoming auctions.

Robin S.R. Starr – Director of American & European Works of Art, will be on-hand to evaluate paintings, prints, sculpture, and photography for upcoming auctions. She is looking forward to seeing examples by listed, sought-after artists, as well as iconic works of fine art photography from the 19th through 21st centuries, with market interest over $1000.… Read More

Join us for First Tuesday in Marlborough

Tuesday, February 4 | 1:30PM – 4PM

Specialists Robin S.R. Starr, Jonathan Dowling, Kaitlin Shinnick & Suhyung Kim will be on hand to evaluate items and accept consignments for upcoming auctions.

Robin S.R. Starr – Director of American & European Works of Art, will be on-hand to evaluate paintings, prints, sculpture, and photography for upcoming auctions. She is looking forward to seeing examples by listed, sought-after artists, as well as iconic works of fine art photography from the 19th through 21st centuries, with market interest over $1000.… Read More

Join us for First Tuesday in Marlborough

Tuesday, November 5 | 1:30PM – 4PM

Specialists Robin S.R. Starr, Jonathan Dowling & Kerry Shrives will be on hand to evaluate items and accept consignments for upcoming auctions.

Robin S.R. Starr – Director of American & European Works of Art, will be on-hand to evaluate paintings, prints, sculpture, and photography for upcoming auctions. She is looking forward to seeing examples by listed, sought-after artists, as well as iconic works of fine art photography from the 19th through 21st centuries, with market interest over $1000.… Read More

Important Sapphire and Diamond Ring, Cartier, c. 1950s, sold for $873,000

BOSTON, MA – September 19, 2019. The top lot of Skinner’s September 17, 2019 Important Jewelry auction was a remarkable twin stone Kashmir sapphire ring by Cartier.

Antique Ruby and Diamond Ring, sold for $171,000

Owned by one family since the 1950s, the ring soared to more than double its pre-sale estimate to $873,000. The sapphires were a classic example of the cornflower-blue stones from the famed Kashmir mines, before they closed in the 1880s.… Read More

Join us for First Tuesday in Marlborough

Tuesday, June 4 | 1:30PM – 4PM

Specialists Robin S.R. Starr, Karen Keane, Jonathan Dowling & Kaitlin Shinnick will be on hand to evaluate items and accept consignments for upcoming auctions.

Experts Available in June:

Robin S.R. Starr – Director of American & European Works of Art, will be on-hand to evaluate paintings, prints, sculpture, and photography for upcoming auctions. She is looking forward to seeing examples by listed, sought-after artists, as well as iconic works of fine art photography from the 19th through 21st centuries, with market interest over $1000.… Read More