PHILADELPHIA – On Thursday, May 21, Freeman’s will hold its online Jewelry & Watches auction. Spanning periods, the 125-lot auction includes an array of impressive diamonds; colorful gemstones; vintage, retro and antique jewels; and a strong selection of iconic, signed pieces by renowned makers such as Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Rolex, Van Cleef & Arpels, and most notably, David Webb. Bid absentee or live online through LiveAuctioneers.

The auction is led by a rare 29.84 carat radiant-cut fancy light yellow diamond (above; $350,000-$450,000). Set in an 18K gold ring and flanked by triangular-cut diamonds, this stunning and remarkably large stone is accompanied by a GIA report stating natural fancy light yellow color and VS2 clarity.

The sale features a number of pieces by important American jeweler, David Webb. Recognized for his bold and eccentric designs, Webb is best known for his influential and whimsical “Animal Kingdom” collection, as represented by two bracelets in the auction: An enamel, diamond, emerald, and 18K gold elephant bangle (below, $25,000-$35,000) and an enamel, diamond, ruby and 18K gold zebra bangle (Lot 112, $30,000-$50,000).

David Webb’s distinct designs have been ingrained into American culture, in large part due to the popularization of the whimsical, yet architectural Zebra bracelet. Designed in 1957, it was the first zoomorphic design of what ultimately formed Webb’s “Kingdom,” and was worn by celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and Vogue editor Dianne Vreeland, among others.

Leading the watch section of the sale is an exceptional 1965 stainless steel Rolex (Lot 51; $20,000-$30,000). With its sleek, stainless steel dial, this Rolex Ref. 6238 pre-Daytona chronograph is the same model worn by James Bond, played by George Lazenby, in the 1969 film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. An advertisement for the film prompted the consignor to purchase the rare watch for $500 while on a trip to Geneva in the 1960s. Upon his return, he filed the watch in a sock drawer for safekeeping, where it has been kept for over 50 years.

Additional highlights of the sale include a diamond solitaire centering an old European-cut diamond weighing 10.07 carats, accompanied by GIA report stating N color and VS2 clarity (Lot 122; $80,000-$100,000); a diamond solitaire centering a cushion cut diamond weighing 4.79 carats, accompanied by a GIA certificate stating E color and SI2 clarity (Lot 120; $30,000-$50,000); a highly flexible diamond and platinum bracelet by Cartier London (Lot 124; $20,000-$30,000); and an Art Deco Tutti Frutti ruby, emerald, diamond, and seed pearl clip brooch (Lot 119, $7,000-$9,000).

For details contact Freeman’s head of sale Virginia Salem at vsalem@freemansauction.com or 917-328-7563.

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