John Moran Auctioneers’ Inaugural HQ Jewelry and Luxury Auction Rings in the Holiday Season with Sil - First of many future HQ sales to be held at John Moran Auctioneers Headquarters in Altadena, CA
- A 95% sell-through rate achieved
- Renewed online demand pits floor bidders against fierce......
News-Antique.com - Jan 04,2013 - John Moran Auctioneers’ Inaugural HQ Jewelry and Luxury Auction Rings in the Holiday Season with Silver and Gold
- First of many future HQ sales to be held at John Moran Auctioneers Headquarters in Altadena, CA
- A 95% sell-through rate achieved
- Renewed online demand pits floor bidders against fierce competition
Pasadena, CA-- John Moran Auctioneers triumphantly concluded 2012 by starting something new for the Southern California house: a series of sales dubbed ‘’HQ Auctions’’ conducted at the company headquarters in Altadena, CA, rather than at their usual venue of the Pasadena Convention Center. Held on December 6th, the inaugural HQ sale focused exclusively on jewelry, timepieces and luxury accessories. Over 330 lots were offered to a large audience of floor bidders gathered at Moran’s home base, festively decorated for the season, as well as telephone and internet bidders connecting from around the world. Whether fueled by the more intimate atmosphere of the location, holiday cheer, or the quality of the merchandise gathered exclusively from private collections and estates, the sale achieved stellar prices and an aggregate sell-through rate of 95%. Part of this success was no doubt due to intense competition from the unusually large number of online bidders: more than 400 of them participated through live hosts Artfact.com and Liveauctioneers.com.
Diamond pieces took center stage at the HQ auction, the most outstanding of which was perhaps an antique rose-cut diamond necklace. Made circa 1830, and featuring 349 diamonds total, the dazzling ornament shot past pre-auction estimates of $20,000 to $30,000, selling to a telephone bidder for $54,000. Hailing from a private Pasadena estate and originally estimated to hammer between $25,000 and $35,000, an Edwardian twin diamond necklace set with a total 5.9 carats of diamonds was the object of intense competition, finally won for $33,000. A pair of diamond domed ear clips by famed jeweler Harry Winston, featuring 114 full-cut round diamonds, brought out the floor bidders and sold at $7800 (estimate: $4000 to $6000).
A number of highlights were whimsical items appealing to the lighthearted spirit of the season: jeweled insects and animals both real and imagined. The second lot in the auction, and one of the most flamboyant pieces, was an 18k gold bangle superbly modeled as a fierce dragon, set with cabochon jadeite. Made circa 1900 by the firm of Arthur & Bond of Yokohama, Japan, it fired up the crowd and easily exceeded its estimate of $1500 to $2000, bringing an impressive $5700. A ruby, emerald, and diamond turtle pendant / brooch stole more than a few hearts. Decidedly adorable, the turtle realized $1920, and went home with a floor bidder who outbid half a dozen would-be absentee buyers (estimate: $700 to $900). One of a number of Judith Leiber minaudieres, a crystal penguin-form handbag was also a crowd favorite, bringing $1470 (estimate: $1000 to $1500). The desirability of insect-themed pieces has been sticking firmly on-trend for an extended run. Flying to $1800 at the block was a pair of gemstone and diamond
