BOSTON – On Sept. 16 Skinner will host a Fine Jewelry auction at its Boston gallery, with real-time Internet bidding through LiveAuctioneers.com. Almost 600 lots of Art Deco, Victorian, Art Nouveau and contemporary pieces are entered in the sale, and a free jewelry clinic will be an added attraction of the Sunday, Sept.14 preview.
Among the auction’s highlights is a collection of beautiful reverse-painted crystals, many quite rare in size and quality. All eight pieces, coming to Skinner from a single consignor, are high-end examples of this type of jewelry. Included is a brooch depicting a bird with orange breast and striped wings (lot 274, est. $3/4,000); an enamel hunting bracelet composed of crystal links portraying waterfowl, joined by crossed shotguns (lot 277, est. $2/3,000); and a wristwatch depicting fishing lures and leaping brook and rainbow trout (lot 278, est. $1,8/2,200).
Another special section of the auction is a collection of Lover’s Eye jewelry. While it’s remarkable for Skinner to see one piece of this unusual jewelry during a sale, here is an entire collection of five pieces including an antique miniature eye portrait pendant on ivory (lot 211, est. $1,5/2,000); an antique miniature eye portrait pin framed by split seed pearls (lot 212, est. $1,5/2,000); and a Lover’s Eye ring (lot 214, est. $4/600).
Colored gems will shine bright on the 16th, particularly a very rare and stunning pink and blue diamond twin stone ring (lot 590, est. $150-250,000). Subtlety set together, the gray-blue marquise-cut diamond weighs 2.87 cts. and the pink marquise-cut 2.60 cts. The ring is accompanied by GIA certificates. Two alexandrites also are up for bid including an antique alexandrite and diamond pendant brooch (lot 585, est. $40/60,000) from the turn of the century that comes to Skinner through the family of the original owner. With a beautiful color change, the stone is well cut and an important size for an alexandrite. For those that can’t afford the more significant alexandrite, a smaller alexandrite ring (lot 583, est. $5/7,000) framed by old European-cut diamonds is a perfect alternative.
For collectors of Art Deco jewelry, the sale features several interesting pieces including: a platinum, emerald and diamond brooch by Marcus & Co. (lot 555, est. $4/6,000), no longer in business but once recognized as one of America’s best jewelers; a Cartier platinum and diamond charm bracelet (lot 570, est. $6/8,000), which was created for the original owner with charms representing her family members and their lives; and a very wearable platinum and diamond necklace (lot 589, est. $15/20,000) in a geometric shape with a total diamond weight of 7.70 cts.
Several stunning works by Van Cleef & Arpels are on the block including two exotic wood pieces, which the company no longer makes: an 18kt. “Nerval” clip brooch (lot 401, est. $2,5/3,500) and earclips (lot 402, est. $1,5/2,000). Both feature wood petals and full-cut diamond highlights. Also by Van Cleef & Arpels is an 18kt gold, coral and diamond “Rose de Noel” brooch (lot 400A, est. $7/9,000). As well, a very collectible artist-designed 18kt. rose gold kinetic ring by Pol Bury (lot 80, est. $8/12,000), featuring rotating discs anchored by spheres, will grace the sale.
Other sale highlights include an Art Nouveau erotic enamel and pearl pendant (lot 282, est. 1,8/2,200), the whimsical piece incorporating natural pearls to represent parts of the female anatomy; and an Art Deco platinum and diamond lorgnette and chain (lot 557, est. $2/3,000). Being sold to benefit the Mass General Hospital to fund a scholarship is a 4.17 cts. diamond and platinum ring (lot 563, est. $40/60,000) by C.D. Peacock of Chicago, accompanied by GIA report; and a platinum and diamond longchain (lot 512, est. $55/65,000), spectacular-set with 158 full-cut diamonds.
Previews for the auction will be held on Sunday, September 14th from 12 to 5 p.m., and on Monday, September 15th from 12 to 7 p.m. During Sunday’s preview attendees are invited to participate in a jewelry clinic, hosted by Mr. Hagop Matossian from Bostonian Jewelers. Mr. Matossian, an antique and period jewelry restoration expert viewed by his peers as a pioneer in laser restoration techniques, will be available for individual consultations concerning items in the auction.
Visit Skinner online at www.skinnerinc.com.
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ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
