Skinner To Host Auction of Fine Jewelry Tuesday, June 14th in Boston Skinner Inc. will host a fine jewelry auction in its Boston gallery at 63 Park Plaza on Tuesday, June 14th at 10 a.m. The spectacularly varied sale of more than 850 lots truly offers something for eve
News-Antique.com - May 26,2011 - The Margret Craver Collection
The Estate of Margret Craver Withers (1907-2010) is a highlight of the sale. Margret Craver was a self-taught modernist jeweler and metalsmith. She was introduced to metalsmithing at the University of Kansas in the late 1920s. In 1938 she traveled to Sweden to study with Baron Erik Fleming, silversmith to the King. Under his tutelage, Craver refined her craft and sharpened her skills. During the war Craver taught metalwork to veterans at Walter Reed Army Hospital. She has been recognized with numerous awards and her work is represented in as many museums. Skinner is very pleased to offer selections from her estate that range from her designs to collected works of others, such as fellow innovator John Paul Miller.
Craver’s work is beautifully represented with the Solar-Lunar Cosmos series from the late 1970s. Each transparent glass pendant is set with either gold or silver foil symbolizing the relationship between sun (gold) and moon (silver). Each is suspended from a simple, clear acrylic torque that creates an interaction between wearer and viewer: the pendant changes with the light as the wearer moves. Eleven of the twelve pendants from this series will be offered. Lots 441 through 451 are estimated at $600 to $800 each. Also being offered is a silver and rock crystal dress clip, lot 460, which shows Craver’s strong interest in gemology and lapidary work. The piece is estimated at $1,500 to $2,000.
On Wednesday, June 8th at 6:30 p.m. Skinner will host a gallery talk and reception at the Boston gallery entitled “Margret Craver: A Singular Silversmith and Jeweler of the Twentieth Century” presented by Jeannine Falino, Curator, Museum of Arts and Design, New York City. RSVP to 617.350.5400 or via online registration.
Timepieces
Choice timepieces at auction include an antique gilt-metal and rock crystal crucifix watch, signed by Jaques Joly, lot 606, estimated at $3,000 to $5,000; an Art Deco platinum, gem-set figural wristwatch, attributed to Eszeha, the cover lot, 841, estimated at $10,000 to $15,000; and lot 822, an Art Deco onyx, enamel and diamond “Pendulette,” by Cartier, Paris, c. 1920, estimated at $10,000 to $15,000. A Patek Philippe gentleman’s 18kt gold “perpetual calendar” wristwatch with Moonphases, lot 580 and estimated at $20,000 to $30,000, is also expected to entice active bidding.
Diamond solitaires
The auction features solitaires ranging from 2.00 cts. to over 10.00 cts. including a platinum and diamond solitaire, set with a square emerald-cut diamond weighing 10.62 cts., accompanied by a GIA report stating G color, VVS2 clarity. Lot 826 is estimated at $550,000 to $650,000. Another stunning stone is a pear-shaped diamond weighing 9.13 cts., accompanied by a GIA report stating E color, VVS1 clarity. That lot, 845a, is estimated at $475,000 to $525,000. An 18kt gold and fancy light yellow diamond solitaire, set with a rectangular-cut diamond weighing 8.95 cts, with GIA report, lot 821, is estimated to sell between $75,000 and $100,000. And, an Art Deco platinum and diamond solitaire set with a square-cut diamond weighing
