News-Antique.com - Oct 23,2007 - The top lot of the sale was a Cultured Pearl Necklace with an Emerald and Diamond Clasp, which sold for $301,000 (est. $60/80,000). Diamonds sold particularly well, as indicated in the top ten results.
Among the jewels offered today was a unique collection of items from a real-life treasure hunt that took place in 2004-5 with complex clues to the jewels’ locations embedded within the text and pictures of the from the “A Treasure’s Trove” children’s book, written and illustrated by Michael Stadther. Twelve unique 18-karat gold tokens with symbols of each of the jewels, modeled after the forest creatures in the book, were hidden in the knotholes of trees on public lands across the continental United States. The finders of these tokens received the corresponding jewels from Mr. Stadther. Six of these were offered in today’s sale. The Spider, which is made of an extremely rare and valuable Kashmir cushion-shaped sapphire and an oval diamond of yellow color, sold for $205,000 (est. $150/200,000).
Sotheby’s New York’s evening sale of Magnificent Jewels will be held on December 4, 2007.
Sale N08350 Important Jewels 17 OCT 07
Grand Total
(Including
Buyer's
Premium):
$10,510,543 (£5,179,138) Exch Rate: 0.49
Sold by Lot: 75.2% Lots Offered: 440
Sold by Value: 78.6% Lots Sold/Unsold: 331 / 109
Lot Price (USD) Estimate (USD) Buyer
363 $301,000 (£148,320) $60,000 - 80,000 American Trade
Cultured pearl necklace with emerald and diamond clasp
413 $277,000 (£136,494) $160,000 - 180,000 International Private
Diamond ring
194 $259,000 (£127,624) $200,000 - 250,000 American Trade
Diamond necklace, circa 1950
219 $205,000 (£101,015) $150,000 - 200,000 International Trade
The Spider, from the “A Treasure’s Trove” Collection
300 $199,000 (£98,059) $165,000 - 185,000 International Private
Pair of diamond earrings
403 $193,000 (£95,102) $20,000 - 30,000 American Trade
Diamond Bracelet-Watch, Cartier, Paris, circa 1930
432 $169,000 (£83,276) $20,000 - 30,000 International Trade
Pair of natural pearl and diamond pendant-earrings, circa 1900
366 $163,000 (£80,319) $100,000 - 150,000 American Private
Pair of emerald and diamond earclips
417 $157,000 (£77,363) $75,000 - 100,000 American Private
Diamond ring, Harry Winston
372 $145,000 (£71,450) $100,000 - 120,000 Anonymous
Two diamond chain necklaces
Specialist in Charge: Lisa Hubbard, Gary Schuler,
Robin Wright
Press Office Contact: Courtney King 212 606 7176
Gary Schuler, Director of the Jewelry Department, said “The market continues to pursue beautifully made and unique
pieces of jewelry. Today’s sale demonstrates the strong demand for diamonds as well as robust interest in emeralds
and natural pearls.” Robin Wright, Specialist in the Jewelry Department, said, “We’re so pleased that the “A Treasure’s
Trove” jewels sold strongly. Many of the finders of the jeweled bugs were in the salesroom and watched eagerly while
their lots were auctioned. It was nice to work with a group who were so enthusiastic and involved in the whole auction
process.”
