BIRMINGHAM, UK – Elizabeth Taylor once famously said, “Big girls need big diamonds.” In keeping with this style mantra, the Dec. 10 Antique & Modern Jewelry auction at Fellows is loaded with beautiful, big diamond pieces.
The Rivière is a style of necklace, describing a line of individually set faceted gems, often graduated. French for “river,” the term perfectly describes the stream of diamonds around the neck when worn. On Dec. 10, four of these elegant necklaces are going under the hammer, as lots 53 (above, £8,000 – £12,000), 113 (£3,500 – £4,500), 173 (£8,000 – £12,000) and 404 (£7,500 – £8,500).
Diamonds are not exclusively reserved for necklaces however, with a late Victorian convertible pendant brooch, lot 160 (below), having a captivating double halo of diamonds (estimate of £2,500 – £3,000), and a pair of floral cluster drop earrings, lot 129 (estimate £600 – £800).
An impressive array of Victorian jewelry is included in this auction. It features a trio of standout lots in particular. Lot 403 is a beautifully presented mid-19th century gold and emerald brooch (estimate £1,000 – £1,500) with the green of the emeralds especially highlighting the ornate scrollwork and fringe embellishments of the gold. Lot 391 (below) is a foil-back emerald and seed pearl gold bangle, offered at £1,500-2,000, whereas a splash of vibrant color is added by lot 45, a Holbeinesque enamel pendant set with pearls and a cabochon garnet (est. £2,500 – £3,000).
The designer selection this sale includes Tiffany & Co, Bulgari, Pandora and Fope. Ones to watch include the iconic Tiffany & Co diamond key pendant (lot 334) and pieces designed by Shaun Leane (lots 313, 314, 315), the jeweler who turned on the Hatton Garden Christmas lights this year.
An Art Nouveau gold and diamond locket, lot 52 (estimate £2,000 – £3,000) features a stylized maiden with a diamond necklace, who is surrounded by characteristic whiplash motif curves and fauna. This locket on chain bears the marks for Comte Prosper d’Epinay De Briort, a well-known French medallist, sculptor and jeweler who worked from 1836-1914 and created many striking examples of figurative jewelry.
LiveAuctioneers.com will provide absentee and Internet live bidding.
Call Fellows at 020 7127 4198 for more information.