Bonhams Fine Jewellery Sale Results that Will Make you Say Wow!
Hot on the heels of a magnificent auction from Bonhams New York auction last week, where Burmese rubies, Kashmir sapphires, Colombian emeralds, plus an impressive selection of magnificent diamonds together with a large collection of David Webb jewellery raised $4.5 million.
This week it was the turn of the Bonhams London Fine Jewellery sale, where the season's most talked about emeralds caused somewhat of a stir. Three pieces of Art Deco diamond and emerald jewellery, attributed to Hennell, became the subject of a bidding frenzy in Bonhams New Bond Street salesroom, eventually selling for a total of £1,928,250.
Emily Barber, Director of Bonhams Jewellery UK, said:
These jewels are simply magnificent. Superb emerald specimens like this do not come to market very often so we're delighted to bring them to auction for the first time. The crescent-shaped emerald is no doubt an historic Indian gem, cut to maximise its "green fire" and the sugarloaf cabochon emerald, a cut favoured by early 20th century Art Deco jewellers, is one of the finest examples we have seen.
Caroline Morrissey, Senior Jewellery Specialist, Bonhams New York, after the New York fine jewel auction said:
Rubies are far rarer than colourless diamonds, a fact that has been recognised in the world-record breaking prices they set at auction. Given the international appetite for specimen rubies together with a greater appreciation of this gemstone, we are anticipating keen interest in these pieces during our previews in New York, LA, Geneva and Hong Kong.
Here are a few of our favourites from both the London and New York auctions:
London - An emerald and diamond pendant/necklace, by Hennell, first quarter of the 20th century
Set with a double-sided cabochon emerald crescent, weighing 12.13 carats, surmounted by a marquise-cut diamond, weighing 2.47 carats, within a border of graduating old brilliant-cut diamonds and two smaller marquise-cut diamonds, suspended from a fine chain of old brilliant-cut diamonds alternating with platinum batons, terminating in a pear-shaped emerald drop, weighing 6.23 carats, unsigned, diamonds 15.95 carats total, pendant length 6.9cm, convertible to a brooch, fitting supplied, Hennell box - Sold for £1,328,750
London - An art deco emerald and diamond necklace/bracelet combination, circa 1930
The principal bracelet, forming the front section of the articulated collar, composed of five step-cut emeralds, three of square and two of rectangular shape, graduating in size from the centre, each within an openwork frame of calibré-cut emeralds and collet-set brilliant-cut diamonds, connected by geometric panels pavé-set with old-brilliant, brilliant and single-cut diamonds, each with a principal marquise-cut diamond at the centre, the second bracelet, forming the backchain, of similar design, emeralds approximately 34.10 carats total, diamonds approximately 15.80 carats total, the necklace separates to form two bracelets, clasp of principal bracelet numbered 548, bracelet lengths 19.8cm and 17.7cm, necklace length 37.5cm - Sold for £1,052,750
London - A pair of ruby and diamond chandelier earrings, second quarter of 20th Century
The openwork old brilliant and single-cut diamond surmounts suspending cascades of millegrain-set old brilliant and single-cut diamonds and square and triangular-cut rubies, converted, diamonds approximately 4.00 carats total, length 3.5cm.
New York - An Art Deco ruby and diamond bracelet, Cartier, circa 1935
Composed of seven rows of ruby beads, interspersed by baguette-cut diamond bars, flanked by old European-cut diamonds; signed Cartier, made in France, with maker's mark; estimated total diamond weight: 14.40 carats; mounted in platinum; length: 8 1/8in. Sold for US $324,500
New York - A ruby and diamond ring, Mermod & Jaccard
Centering an antique cushion-shaped mixed-cut ruby, weighing 3.24 carats, flanked by old European-cut diamonds, weighing 1.23 and 1.12 carats; signed Mermod Jaccard; accompanied by a signed box; mounted in 18k gold; size 5 - Sold for US$ 131,250
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