Sotheby’s New York Sale of Magnificent Jewels To be held on December 9, 2008 This December Sotheby’s will hold its annual Jewelry Week in New York including
the sale of Magnificent Jewels on December 9, 2008
and distinct character, the captivating pear-shaped diamond
of 15.37 carats is D color, VS2 clarity and classified as type IIa, a
Golconda type diamond. This stone was originally in the collection of Jay
Gould, one of America’s leading railroad developers, speculators and
financiers in the 19th century. From a California Estate is the elegant
Diamond Ring, Harry Winston, set with a pear-shaped diamond
weighing 19.86 carats, graded G color, VS1 clarity (lot 420, est.
$800,000/1.2 million).
Property from a Distinguished Private Collector
Sotheby’s is privileged to once again offer several pieces from the
Princely Collections of Thurn und Taxis, a memorable noble sale
held in 1992 at Sotheby’s Geneva. Amongst the highlights, the
historic Pair of Cabochon Emerald and Diamond Pendant-
Earrings, last quarter 19th century, completed with diamond
mounts of later date (lot 418, est. $800,000/1.2 million) that are
comprised of superlative emeralds which once belonged to the
Grand Duchess Vladimir whose husband was the son of Tsar
Alexander II. Also from the Thurn und Taxis auction is the
Emerald, Natural Pearl and Diamond “Guluband”, Rajasthan,
18th/19th century, completed by a gold chain by Van Cleef &
Arpels (lot 417, est. $200/300,000). This nuptial necklace was
originally purchased by Prince Johannes von Thurn und Taxis as a present for his wife Princess Gloria as a
reminder of their visits to India.
Also offered by a Distinguished Private Collector is a wonderful array of decorative jewels by Van Cleef &
Arpels, New York including a Coral and Diamond “Ballerina” Necklace and Matching Earclips (lot 393,
Diamond Ring, mounted by
Boucheron, Paris, 15.37 carats,
Lot 429, est. $1/1.5 million
Pair of Cabochon Emerald and Diamond
Pendant-Earrings, last quarter 19th century, lot
418, est. $800/000/1.2 million est. $60/80,000) and Yellow and White Diamond Flower
Necklace (lot 395, $90/120,000) as well as jewels by Harry
Winston, Cartier and Giované.
David Webb
This year marks the 60th
anniversary of prominent
American jeweler David
Webb and the Magnificent
Jewels sale pays tribute to the
celebrated firm in a dedicated
section that includes many of the bold, innovative designs for which
Webb is best known. A menagerie of enchanting animal jewels star in
Property from the Estate of June D. Speight including the delightful
Carved Coral, Colored Stone and Diamond Elephant Bangle,
David Webb (lot 305, $15/20,000) and the Green Enamel, Ruby
and Diamond Frog Bangle, David Webb similar to the double frog bangle once in the collection of the
Duchess of Windsor (lot 297, est. $20/30,000).
The Webb offerings also include one-of-a-kind pieces such as the
striking Diamond Tassel Necklace, David Webb, made in the 1960s
(lot 316, est. $180/220,000) and from a Distinguished Private
Collection, the Coral, Diamond and Emerald Brooch, David Webb,
1960s (lot 317, est. $40/50,000). Carved to depict a mythical
animal, this rare S-shaped brooch was formerly in the collection of
Gabriele Murdock sold by Sotheby’s in 1999.
Coral and Diamond “Ballerina” Necklace and
Matching Earclips, Van Cleef & Arpels,
New York, lot 393, est. $60/ 80,000
Coral, Diamond and Emerald
