I felt a separate post was needed for the jewelry part of the Brooke Astor Auction at Sotheby's. I must say, I was a bit shocked she did not have more jewels, considering her wealth and the Astor name. I personally prefer auctions at Christie's than Sotheby's. I have viewed many at Christie's over the years, and find the employees to be much more friendly, pleasant of nature. After I got home, I had read you were able to try on any one of these gems. While I was there, as well as others, viewing these amazing pieces of jewelry, not one sales person asked if we wanted to try anything on or take out of the case. Christie's is the exact opposite.
Let's get to these fabulous pieces, shall we:
AN 18 KARAT GOLD, CULTURED PEARL AND DIAMOND NECKLACE AND EARCLIPS, VAN CLEEF & ARPELS,
1972, AND CARTIER
Estimate: 45,000 - 55,000 USD
designed in the Mughal style, the necklace set throughout with numerous round, old European-cut and old mine diamonds weighing approximately 22.50 carats, suspending 3 detachable cultured pearl drops graduating in size from approximately 14.0 mm to 13.1 mm, length 14 inches, French maker's marks for Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, numbered 38562, French assay marks; the earclips set with numerous round and single-cut diamonds weighing approximately 3.85 carats, suspending cultured pearl pendants measuring approximately 13.1 and 13.4 mm, one earclip signed Van Cleef & Arpels NY, the other earclip numbered 42667, pendants detachable; with signed envelope.
AN 18 KARAT GOLD, COLORED DIAMOND, CORAL AND RUBY BROOCH, VAN CLEEF & ARPELS, NEW YORK, 1968
Estimate: 20,000 - 30,000 USD
designed as a lion atop a coral branch, set with numerous round diamonds of yellow hue weighing approximately 8.00 carats, further enhanced by 2 round ruby eyes and a black enamel nose, with the tail and two of the legs articulated, signed V.C.A., numbered N.Y. 39419, one diamond missing.
AN INDIAN CARVED IVORY ELEPHANT MOUNTED IN GOLD AND JEWELS RETAILED BY VAN CLEEF & ARPELS, NEW YORK, 20TH CENTURY
Estimate: 6,000 - 8,000 USD
AN 18 KARAT GOLD AND COLORED DIAMOND BROOCH, DAVID WEBB,
1982
Estimate: 15,000 - 20,000 USD
designed as a jiashan set with numerous round diamonds of near colorless, yellow and brownish hues weighing approximately 21.50 carats, signed David Webb.
AN 18 KARAT GOLD, PLATINUM AND DIAMOND FLOWER BROOCH, DAVID WEBB,
CIRCA 1970
Estimate: 7,000 - 9,000 USD
of stylized floral design set with numerous round diamonds weighing approximately 11.60 carats, signed Webb.
A GOLD, DIAMOND AND COLORED STONE BUTTERFLY BROOCH
Estimate: 10,000 - 15,000 USD
set with one triangle-shaped emerald, two pear-shaped rubies, 22 round sapphires and two cabochon sapphire eyes, further set with round near colorless and colored diamonds weighing approximately 17.00 carats.
A PLATINUM, 18 KARAT GOLD, EMERALD AND DIAMOND NECKLACE, BULGARI,
1959
Estimate: 250,000 - 350,000 USD
centering a flexible composition of 13 emerald drops weighing approximately 71.00 carats, further enhanced with 14 cabochon emeralds weighing approximately 41.00 carats accented by 14 marquise-shaped diamonds weighing approximately 8.50 carats, and set throughout with numerous round diamonds weighing approximately 50.00 carats, length 14½ inches, unsigned, French workshop and assay marks; with signed and fitted box.
A PLATINUM AND DIAMOND BRACELET, VAN CLEEF & ARPELS
Estimate: 100,000 - 150,000 USD
the flexible strap set with 396 round diamonds weighing approximately 90.50 carats, length 7 inches, signed Van Cleef & Arpels, numbered NY33410; with signed box
A PLATINUM, EMERALD, DIAMOND AND ENAMEL BROOCH, BOUCHERON, PARIS, CIRCA 1925
Estimate: 7,500 - 10,000 USD
designed as a bow set with calibré-cut emeralds, bordered by black enamel and framed by old European and single-cut diamonds weighing approximately 1.50 carats, centered by a single marquise-shaped diamond weighing approximately .40 carat, signed Boucheron, Paris, French workshop and assay marks.
AN 18 KARAT GOLD, PLATINUM, SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND BROOCH, VAN CLEEF & ARPELS,
NEW YORK, CIRCA 1960
Estimate: 10,000 - 15,000 USD
The two leaves set with numerous round sapphires weighing approximately 9.00 carats, further set with 37 round diamonds weighing approximately 2.60 carats,signed VCA, numbered NY38137.
AN 18 KARAT GOLD, PLATINUM, EMERALD AND DIAMOND BROOCH, VAN CLEEF & ARPELS,
NEW YORK, CIRCA 1960
Estimate: 10,000 - 15,000 USD
the two leaves set with numerous round emeralds weighing approximately 7.00 carats, further set with 32 round diamonds weighing approximately 2.60 carats,signed VCA, numbered NY38138.
If money were no object, what piece would you purchase? I think I would pick the Platinum and Diamond bracelet from Van Cleef and Arpels......would look great on either of my arms....probably would never take it off!!
I hope you enjoyed this visit to Sotheby's. Many of these amazing auctions are free to the public, so if you are in the city and need something unique to do, visit either Christie's or Sotheby's to see what they have available to sell. They are both auction museums. The items you will find here are museum worthy, and a great treat for the eyes!!
The catalog is actually sold out, but you can view all items online at Sotheby's website.
Auction: September 24 and 25, 2012
Times: 10:00am and 2:00pm both days
Sotheby's
1334 York Avenue and
New York, NY 10021
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3 comments
Wow, how I would love to have that beautiful butterfly broach! Fabulous pieces.
Maureen
Wow! I am so jealous you got to go to this auction. You lucky girl xx
It was pretty cool. I don't think people realize these are mostly free to attend and What an opportunity!
Museum pieces for sure!!
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