CHICAGO – Hindman’s Dec. 7 Fine and Important Jewelry Auction realized over $2.1 million in 193 lots with international bidder engagement. Property from the Estate of Louise Hart led the sale, and pieces from other private collections across the country also performed strongly. Absentee and Internet live bidding was available through LiveAuctioneers.Pieces from a wide variety of time periods and styles were featured in the sale, including contemporary jewelry and signed pieces from renowned houses such as Cartier, David Webb, Tiffany & Co., Buccellati and Van Cleef & Arpels.
Diamond rings led the auction, with an important diamond ring from the Hart estate leading the entire sale. The ring (above) contained an emerald-cut diamond weighing 11.78 carats and sold for over double its estimate of $120,000-$180,000 and ultimately realized $250,000. A ring containing one round brilliant cut diamond weighing 6.79 carats sold for above its estimate at $108,800. Concluding the top diamond lots was one containing a brilliant cut diamond weighing 7.05 carats that sold for $96,000, which surpassed its estimate of $60,000-$80,000; and a ring containing one round brilliant cut diamond weighing 12.05 carats that exceeded its expected estimate and sold for $87,500.
A unique and stunning piece was an antique royal diamond tiara, which ultimately realized over 10 times its estimate of $6,000-$8,000, selling for $68,750. Worn by Princess Eugenia for her 1938 wedding to Prince Dominik Radziwiłł, the tiara contains numerous old mine, rose and mixed-cut diamonds weighing approximately 18 to 20 carats total and seven diamond simulants. The tiara is formerly from the Collection of the House of Habsburg by descent through the Radziwiłł family.
Another top lot, also from the Hart estate, were the diamond studs which realized $62,500, against an estimate of $30,000-$50,000.
Van Cleef & Arpels pieces brought strong results throughout the sale. A Van Cleef & Arpels yellow gold and diamond “cheveux d’ange” necklace beat its estimate and sold for $45,000. The necklace consists of a graduating angled fringe containing 35 round brilliant cut diamonds.
Brooches by the designer also were standout pieces including a diamond and ruby “Love Birds” brooch which sold for $30,000, well over its estimate.
A Van Cleef & Arpels diamond and turquoise brooch with 53 round brilliant cut diamonds, which ultimately realized $23,750. Another piece that did far better than anticipated was a fancy gray-blue diamond (weighing 0.63 carat) pendant (unsigned), which sold for $21,250 against an estimate of $2,000-$3,000.
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